By Miguel Suazo and Raj Lahoti Last week, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) convened a full-day stakeholder workshop in Project No. 58481 to gather input on implementing new large-load interconnection standards under PURA §37.0561. The workshop included extensive participation from electric utilities, ERCOT, large-load customers (including data center and industrial developers), and trade […]
By Miguel Suazo and Jacob Everhart The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (“PRC”) recently initiated a formal rulemaking process to consider extensive amendments to the Community Solar Rule under 17.9.573 NMAC (the “Rule”). The proposed amendments are the result of multiple stakeholder working groups and include both primary proposals and identified alternatives across core elements […]
By Theresa Sauer and Jacob Everhart This week, the Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) published two direct final rules (“DFR”) to amend its regulations pertaining to minimum statewide bonding requirements, high pressure flare measurement and sampling requirements, and leak detection and repair (“LDAR”) reporting. Bonding On December 18, 2025, BLM published a DFR to amend […]
The New Mexico Oil Conservation Division (“OCD”) recently provided advance notice to industry and operators regarding the staggered implementation of new policy requirements. In total, three Notices propose to change OCD requirements for the following processes: (1) Changes to the Hearing Submission Process, (2) Procedure for Deviation from Orders, and (3) Evidentiary Requirements for Compulsory […]
DENVER (September 8, 2025) — Beatty & Wozniak, P.C., a nationally recognized oil and gas, energy, and natural resources law firm, is proud to announce that Francis Barron has joined the firm as its first General Counsel in Residence. With more than 35 years of experience, Barron is a respected corporate and securities attorney who […]
By Bret Sumner & Jacob Everhart The Big Beautiful Bill or the Reconciliation Act of 2025 (the Act) (House Resolution 1), contains an important provision for upstream oil and natural gas operators on federal lands. This provision directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to draft a rule authorizing commingling of production from diverse mineral ownership (federal and fee, federal,…
The recent Richard v. Marathon Petroleum Corp. decision compels oil and gas operators to adopt rigorous due diligence standards prior to lease acquisitions. The New Mexico Court of Appeals (NMCA) ruled that New Mexico State Land Office (SLO) approved lease assignments do not absolve assignors or their successors in interest from liability for tortious or statutory harms caused before the…
Today, in a unanimous decision, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a “course correction. . .to bring judicial review under NEPA back in line with the statutory text and common sense.”[1] In Seven County, the Court held that the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals erred in finding deficiencies in the agency’s NEPA analysis for approval of a railroad…
In Continental Resources, Inc. v. North Dakota Board of University and School Lands, the Eighth Circuit resolved a dispute between North Dakota and the United States over entitlement to royalties from minerals extracted from beneath Lake Sakakawea, and ruled in favor of the State of North Dakota. 2025 U.S. App. LEXIS 10619 (8th Cir. 2025). When North Dakota was admitted…
In January, the United States Supreme Court decided not to weigh in on a climate change lawsuit between the City of Honolulu and Sunoco. The lawsuit alleges that oil companies made misleading statements about the impacts of their fossil fuel products in creating human-induced climate change. However, the Supreme Court’s decision says nothing about the merits of the underlying claims.…