When an operator mistakenly overpays a royalty owner, it can recoup the overpayment from future royalties.  While this is a common industry practice, the doctrine of equitable recoupment is seldom discussed in detail by Texas courts.
Continue Reading Fifth Circuit Provides Rare Overview of the Doctrine of Equitable Recoupment

On April 8, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO), “Protecting American Energy From State Overreach,” aimed at “unleashing American energy” by directing the U.S. Attorney General (AG) to identify state laws and policies that burden the development of domestic energy resources and “are or may be unconstitutional, preempted by Federal law

On April 9, 2025, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit held that faith- and community-based groups1 (the “Groups”) representing certain residents of St. James Parish, Louisiana, may continue with their suit seeking a moratorium on the construction and expansion of industrial facilities in the Parish. See Inclusive Louisiana v. St.

On April 3, 2025, the Louisiana Department of Revenue published Revenue Information Bulletin No. 25-013 clarifying the proper sales and use tax treatment for rentals of cranes and other equipment with operators. Under Act 11 of the Third Extraordinary Session of 2024, the Louisiana Legislature repealed the statutory sales and use tax exclusion for the

On March 12, 2025, EPA Administrator Zeldin announced that the agency, as one of its 31 historic deregulatory actions to advance President Trump’s Day One executive orders and EPA’s “Powering the Great American Comeback,” will reconsider the previous administration’s rule tightening the Particulate Matter National Ambient Air Quality Standards (PM2.5 NAAQS).
Continue Reading EPA to Reconsider Previous Administration’s PM 2.5 NAAQS, Continuing its Deregulatory Push

On Tuesday, the Louisiana Supreme Court rejected an attempt to block a constitutional amendment needed to complete the restructuring of the state’s tax laws sought by Gov. Jeff Landry and the Louisiana Legislature. The Court allowed to move forward a statewide vote on a package of changes to the state’s tax laws by dismissing a

On March 12, 2025, EPA Administrator Zeldin announced that the agency will undertake 31 deregulatory actions to advance President Trump’s Day One executive orders and EPA’s “Powering the Great American Comeback.”
Continue Reading EPA Announces 31 Historic Actions Publicized as “Greatest Day of Deregulation Our Nation Has Seen”

On March 12, 2025, EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers issued a joint memorandum providing guidance to field staff on implementing the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) as it pertains to “adjacent wetlands.”
Continue Reading EPA and Army Corps Issue New Guidance for Implementing WOTUS Definition under Supreme Court’s Sackett Decision

On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued the “Unleashing American Energy” Executive Order (“EO”) with the stated purpose of ensuring an abundant supply of affordable and reliable energy in the United States.
Continue Reading NEPA Changes Slated Under President Trump’s Unleashing American Energy Executive Order