Extra Time to Comment on Samoa's Ocean Mineral Gold Rush

2026-09208, Risk Management and Financial Assurance for OCS Lease and Grant Obligations; Extension of Public Comment Period

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is giving everyone an extra week to share their thoughts on new rules about managing risks and money for ocean energy leases and grants. This extension means folks involved in offshore energy projects have until May 15, 2026, to comment. No need to resend old comments—they’re already counted!

2026-04517, Risk Management and Financial Assurance for OCS Lease and Grant Obligations

The Department of the Interior is proposing new rules to make it easier and cheaper for companies drilling for oil, gas, and sulfur on the Outer Continental Shelf to prove they can cover cleanup costs. These changes will lower the extra money companies must set aside, freeing up about $6.2 billion to invest back into energy projects. The updates affect current and future leaseholders and grant holders and aim to boost American energy while keeping the environment safe.

2026-17149, Agency Information Collection Activities; Application To Be Recognized as Qualified To Bid On, Hold, or Operate a Lease or Grant on the OCS in Accordance With the Requirements of 30 CFR 556, Subpart D

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) wants to collect new info from companies that want to bid on or run offshore leases or grants. This helps BOEM make sure only qualified folks get involved, keeping things fair and smooth. If you’re in this business, you’ve got until October 20, 2026, to share your thoughts on the new rules—no extra fees yet, just a heads-up for better paperwork.

2026-16839, Notice of Availability of the Proposed Leasing Notice for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Outer Continental Shelf Pacific Mineral Lease Sale 2 (PACM-2)

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announces the availability of the Proposed Leasing Notice (PLN) for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Pacific Mineral Lease Sale 2 (PACM-2). BOEM publishes this notice pursuant to its regulatory authority under 30 CFR part 581. Pursuant to 30 CFR 581.16, the Secretary of the Interior provides the Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands with the opportunity to review and comment on the PLN within 60 days of publication of this notice of availability. The PLN describes the proposed lease sale's size, timing, and location, along with information to lessees about clauses, lease stipulations, and terms and conditions, such as minimum bids, royalty rates, and rental rates.

2026-16840, Notice of Availability of Outer Continental Shelf Official Protraction Diagrams

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management just released new official maps showing areas off the Northern Mariana Islands where mineral leasing might happen. These updated diagrams help guide future decisions about ocean resources and environmental checks. If you’re involved in ocean energy or mining, keep an eye out—these maps are ready now and more will come later!

2026-15953, Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf-Revisions to the Requirements for Exploratory Drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf

The Department of the Interior (DOI or Department), acting through BSEE and BOEM (collectively, "the Bureaus"), is proposing to revise its existing regulations for exploratory drilling and related operations on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), to reduce unnecessary burdens on stakeholders while ensuring that energy exploration on the Arctic OCS is safe and environmentally responsible.\1\ This proposed rule would revise certain requirements promulgated through the rule entitled, Oil and Gas and Sulfur Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf--Requirements for Exploratory Drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf ("2016 Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule") (see 81 FR 46478). This proposed rule would modify existing Arctic OCS blowout preventer (BOP) real-time monitoring requirements and add new provisions to BSEE's regulations pertaining to requirements for crane operations on artificial islands, suspensions of operations (SOO), and suspensions of production (SOP). This proposed rule would also revise certain parts of the Exploration Plan (EP) and Development and Production Plan (DPP) regulations implemented by BOEM. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Previous: 2025-13277, Notice of OFAC Sanctions Action

The U.S. Treasury’s OFAC just added new people to its blacklist, meaning their U.S.-based money and property are frozen, and Americans can’t do business with them. They also updated info on 28 folks already on the list and removed 518 others, freeing up their assets. These changes shake up who’s off-limits and who’s back in the game, so watch your wallets and calendars!

Next: 2025-13283, Commercial Driver's License: Application for Exemption; American Public Transportation Association

The FMCSA is letting public transit agencies skip the tricky 'under-the-hood' part of the CDL pre-trip test for drivers who only drive buses within their own state. But, drivers using this exemption can’t drive across state lines. This change helps speed up getting bus drivers on the road without extra hassle, but it only applies to local transit and won’t cost extra money.