Department of the Interior Releases Plan for Deepwater Horizon Cleanup; Offshore Wind Lease Sale to Being in NC

Executive Branch Activity

On Monday, President Trump is expected to begin signing executive orders intended to roll back some of President Obama’s actions to protect the environment. Early anticipated orders could include ones that would: (1) remove the public lands coal leasing moratorium; and (2) revoke CEQ’s guidance to agencies that recommends climate change and greenhouse gas emissions be taken into consideration during project reviews. President Trump also reportedly is considering  speeding approval for the Keystone Pipeline and to instruct agencies to cease to consider the “social cost of carbon” in rule-makings.

Regulatory Activity

Deepwater Horizon

On Friday January 20, Department of the Interior made available a plan for the future restoration of wetlands and habitats and funding for the design and engineering of projects as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The plan, titled “Louisiana Trustee Implementation Group Final Restoration Plan #1” can be accessed here.

Offshore Wind

The Department of the Interior has issued a notice to offer for sale one commercial wind energy lease on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) offshore Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The auction will be held online on March 16.