Oil and Gas Watch News

News Briefs

June 4, 2025
White House budget would close independent agency that investigates chemical disasters

The administration would slash the budget of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, which releases public reports on fires, explosions, and other catastrophes.

June 4, 2025
Interior Department proposes rolling back drilling protections on Alaska public land

The Trump Administration is planning to revoke a 2024 rule that restricted oil and gas drilling on 13 million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve in the Alaskan Arctic.

June 4, 2025
Trump nominates energy lawyer, Project 2025 adviser to FERC

Trump on Monday nominated Laura Swett, litigation counsel at the law firm Vinson & Elkins, which represents fossil fuel companies.

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News Articles

Ari Phillips
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May 29, 2025

PA bill would penalize local governments that move fracking away from homes

A bill that passed out of a key Pennsylvania Senate committee on May 7 would withhold funds meant to offset the impacts of oil and gas drilling from municipalities that pass ordinances increases setbacks from homes. These “impact fees” are collected from the fracking industry and typically go towards improvements to roads and other infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and environmental protection programs.

Brendan Gibbons
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May 21, 2025

States sue over Trump 'energy emergency' order that fast-tracks wetlands destruction

On May 9, states led by Washington and California sued the administration over the order issued on President Donald Trump’s first day in office. The administration has used the order to speed up hundreds of permit applications to fill streams and alter wetlands for energy, mining, and construction projects, among other environmental reviews. The order came despite record-high oil and gas production in the U.S. under the Biden Administration.

Brendan Gibbons
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May 14, 2025

Company announces major shakeup of controversial Louisiana hydrogen plant

A controversial hydrogen production plant planned in Louisiana is on hold as the company considers divesting from plans to make ammonia and capture carbon from the facility and bury it under a wildlife refuge and fishing area. The project is part of a wave of proposed hydrogen production facilities planned across the U.S., most of which would use natural gas combined with carbon capture meant to keep the resulting carbon dioxide (CO2) from reaching the atmosphere.

Tom Pelton
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May 8, 2025

In an ironic twist, drilling has declined under Trump’s “Drill, Baby, Drill”

Despite recent announcements that the Trump Administration will accelerate environmental reviews for energy projects, drilling in the U.S. is down slightly so far under Trump. The number of active drilling rigs in the U.S. is down about 4 percent in the first quarter of the year, compared to the first quarter of 2024 under former President Joe Biden. The number of wells drilled and wells completed—meaning oil and gas have begun flowing—are both down 2 percent.

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