On June 1, 2015, the Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the approval of the first three solar energy projects on federal lands in Nevada under the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Western Solar Plan. The three Nevada projects – Invenergy’s Harry Allen Solar Energy Center, First Solar’s Playa Solar Project, and NV Energy’s Dry… Keep reading →
The development of offshore wind projects in the U.S. has been a story of high hopes and many setbacks.
During my eight months as the Deputy Secretary of Energy, I’ve made a point to get out into the field to learn firsthand about the communities our work touches, and hear from the people working in and affected by the dynamic American energy sector. Last week, Sen. Lisa Murkowski — a great partner of the… Keep reading →
The Obama administration laid out its plans on Thursday to limit petroleum drilling on the habitats of the greater sage grouse, a native of the American West that many environmentalists say is being threatened with extinction. “The announcement may stave off a possible Interior Department declaration by October that the finicky chickenlike bird known for its… Keep reading →
This regular publication by DLA Piper lawyers focuses on helping clients navigate the ever-changing business, legal and regulatory landscape.
On March 26, 2015, the Department of the Interior formally published a comprehensive set of new rules regarding Hydraulic Fracturing, commonly known as “fracking.” Several years in the making, the new rules — which go into effect on June 25, 2015 — touch upon virtually every aspect of fracking operations on federal and tribal lands.
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of the Interior and U.S. Department of the Army for Civil Works announced today that the three agencies have extended their partnership to advance hydropower development for an additional five years. The renewal agreement signed today commits the agencies to a specific, ambitious agenda for hydropower, building… Keep reading →
There were conflicting opinions emerging from the American and Iranian camps following the latest round of discussions at the nuclear summit in Switzerland when Sec. Ernest Moniz met with his Iranian counterpart. “In comments to the Iranian news media, Ali Akbar Salehi, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, said that 90 percent… Keep reading →
Last week, the U.S. Department of Interior released its new proposal for development of solar and wind resources on public lands. The proposal, referred to as the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DREC), focuses on the desert land across seven California counties — Imperial, Inyo, Kern, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego. It was developed through collaboration among California state agencies as well as the federal government in an attempt to facilitate California’s renewable electricity portfolio and renewable energy development on federal lands.
