Natural Resources Law – Environmental and Energy Law Program

CleanLaw Podcast

CleanLaw — The ‘God Squad’s’ Unprecedented National Security Exemption

What will the decision to exempt all oil and gas activities in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act look like?

April 9, 2026

Quick Takes

Endangered Species Committee Exempts Oil and Gas Activities in the Gulf Based on National Security Finding

Security determination states that effects of litigation by environmental organizations causes uncertainty that threatens military operations and readiness.

April 3, 2026

Regulatory Tracker

Endangered Species Act Regulations

Trump administration issued its first proposed rollback to ESA and issued a rare exemption in the Gulf of Mexico that faces litigation.

March 31, 2026

Legal Analysis

When National Security Meets Endangered Species: Uncharted Legal Territory in the Gulf of Mexico

The Trump administration plans to invoke never-before-used ESA national security exemption.

March 30, 2026

Regulatory Tracker

Oil and Gas Development in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve

The Bureau of Land Management replaced the 2024 rule regulating management of the NPR-A with the prior rule, promulgated in 1977, and approved a new Integrated Activity Plan, reopening almost 82% of the reserve to oil and gas leasing.

March 18, 2026

Quick Takes

Federal Court Applies SCOTUS Holding in Corner Post

District Court allows challenge and vacates an often-used 1992 Forest Service categorical exclusion in Oregon Wild v. U.S. Forest Service.

February 20, 2026

Regulatory Tracker

Marine National Monuments & Marine Sanctuaries

President Trump signed a proclamation opening the Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument to commercial fishing.

February 6, 2026

Regulatory Tracker

Alaska Roadless Rule

Under President Biden, USDA finalized a rule restoring protections in national forests, including the Tongass, which was challenged. In Aug. 2025 the USDA announced it plans to propose to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule.

January 22, 2026

Legal Analysis

One Year of Trump’s ‘Energy Emergency’ in Context and in Court

An analysis of the declaration, the policies and actions it has produced, and how they compare with historical uses of emergency authority.

January 21, 2026