Editor

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service and the Interior Department’s Fish & Wildlife Service today announced that they are seeking comments by Monday, May 19 on their proposal to rescind the regulatory definition of “harm” in their Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations, which would apply to any permits issued after the regulation becomes final. In seeking comments, the agencies note […]

President Trump today issued an Executive Order on “Restoring American Seafood Competitiveness” intended to promote productive harvest of U.S. seafood resources, remove regulatory burdens on U.S. commercial fishermen, combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and protect U.S. seafood markets from unfair trade practices. Among other things, within 30 days, the Order requires the Commerce Secretary

Interior Sec. and National Energy Dominance Council Chair Doug Burgum today announced on X that, following consultation with Commerce Sec. Howard Lutnick, the Interior Department directed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to immediately halt all construction activities related to the Empire Wind offshore wind project “until further review of information that suggests the Biden administration rushed through its approval without

In a letter sent today to Acting National Marine Fisheries Service Asst. Administrator Emily Menashes, U.S. House Oversight & Government Reform Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) and Economic Growth, Energy Policy, & Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee Chair Eric Burlison (R-MO) noted the Committee’s investigation into “Biden Administration policies that led to higher costs and placed burdensome restrictions on consumer

President Trump today issued a Presidential Memorandum on “Updating Permitting Technology for the 21st Century.”  Noting that the federal government “does not properly leverage technology to effectively and efficiently evaluate environmental permits,” the Memorandum directs federal entities to “make maximum use of technology” when conducting environmental review and permitting processes for infrastructure projects of all types,

In a report released today regarding “Offshore Wind Energy: Actions Needed to Address Gaps in Interior’s Oversight of Development,” the Government Accountability Office examined potential impacts of offshore wind energy development and the mechanisms that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (in coordination with other agencies) has in place to oversee offshore wind development and the extent

The Office of Management and Budget today announced that it is seeking comments by Monday, May 12 on ideas for deregulation, including the identification of specific regulations that should be rescinded or replaced because they stifle American businesses and ingenuity. In seeking comments on regulations that are unnecessary, unlawful, unduly burdensome, or unsound, OMB asks for

The Interior Department today announced that new Bureau of Ocean Energy Management analysis reflects a ~23% increase in estimated total oil and natural gas reserves in the Gulf of America, rising 1.30 billion barrels of oil equivalent to 7.04 billion barrels of oil equivalent between 2021 and 2025 (5.77 billion barrels of oil and 7.15 trillion cubic feet

President Trump today issued an Executive Order on “Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance,” which directs a series of actions to revitalize and rebuild domestic maritime industries and workforce through a Maritime Action Plan due by Nov. 5, 2025 that has elements including the following: Maritime Industrial Base: Assessment of options for use of available authorities, resources, and private

In an effort to remove “outdated regulations that serve as a drag on progress,” “stimulate innovation and deliver prosperity for everyday Americans,” and ensure that regulations “serve the public good,” President Trump today signed an Executive Order on “Zero-Based Regulatory Budgeting to Unleash American Energy,” which directs agencies including the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Bureau of