BLMFinal Rule
Onshore Oil and Gas Operations and Coal Trespass: Annual Civil Penalties Inflation Adjustments
EnergyEnvironment
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Summary
The federal government has updated the penalties for illegal oil, gas, and coal activities on public lands to keep up with inflation. This means companies that break drilling rules or extract resources without permission will now face higher fines, which helps protect taxpayers and public lands from being exploited illegally.
Key Points
- 1Annual penalty amounts are being increased to account for inflation, so fines keep pace with rising costs
- 2The rule applies to illegal oil and gas drilling and unauthorized coal removal on federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management
- 3Higher penalties discourage companies from breaking the law and encourage compliance with environmental and resource management rules
- 4These are civil (non-criminal) penalties, meaning companies pay fines rather than facing criminal prosecution
- 5The adjustment happens automatically each year to ensure penalties remain meaningful and effective over time
Key Dates
Published
January 17, 2025
This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.
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