Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Offshore Leasing
On August 5, 2025, BOEM published a direct final rule rescinding its regulations that require the agency to publish a 5-year schedule of anticipated lease sales at least every two years. The agency claims the requirement is not mandated by statute and "unnecessarily limits the Secretary's discretion over scheduling renewable lease sales." 90 Fed. Reg. 37,386 (Aug. 5, 2025).
Second Trump Administration (2025-2028)
On August 5, 2025, BOEM published a direct final rule rescinding its regulations that require the agency to publish a 5-year schedule of anticipated lease sales at least every two years. The agency claims the requirement is not mandated by statute and "unnecessarily limits the Secretary's discretion over scheduling renewable lease sales." 90 Fed. Reg. 37,386 (Aug. 5, 2025).
On July 30, 2025, BOEM announced that it is rescinding its previous designation of 3.5 million acres of the outer continental shelf to be eligible for wind energy leasing.
Decommissioning Offshore Energy Operations
On March 5, 2026, the Department of the Interior and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced a proposed rule to amend its existing risk management and financial assurance regulations. The new rule, "Risk Management and Financial Assurance for OCS Lease and Grant Obligations," would significantly reduce the amount of supplemental financial assurance required from oil, gas, and sulfur lessees operating on the Outer Continental Shelf. The BOEM estimates that the reduction of financial burden would significantly increase the amount of capital available for oil and gas exploration and production. 91 Fed. Reg. 11212 (Mar. 9, 2026). The proposed rule would support Executive Order 14154, "Unleashing American Energy."
Second Trump Administration (2025-2028)
On March 5, 2026, the Department of the Interior and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced a proposed rule to amend its existing risk management and financial assurance regulations. The new rule, "Risk Management and Financial Assurance for OCS Lease and Grant Obligations," would significantly reduce the amount of supplemental financial assurance required from oil, gas, and sulfur lessees operating on the Outer Continental Shelf. The BOEM estimates that the reduction of financial burden would significantly increase the amount of capital available for oil and gas exploration and production. 91 Fed. Reg. 11212 (Mar. 9, 2026). The proposed rule would support Executive Order 14154, "Unleashing American Energy."
On May 2, 2025, the Department of the Interior announced that it plans to revise the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s Risk Management and Financial Assurance for OCS Lease and Grant Obligations Rule, which was issued under President Biden. 89 Fed. Reg. 31,544 (Apr. 24, 2024). The agency aims to finalize the rule in 2025 and will consider public comment on the proposed rule when published.
Biden Administration (2021-2024)
On April 24, 2024, the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management issued the Risk Management and Financial Assurance for OCS Lease and Grant Obligations Rule. 89 Fed. Reg. 31,544 (Apr. 24, 2024).