Rescind the Biden BLM waste prevention rule and reinstate the Trump rule

What has happened

1. Jun 24, 2026 Attempted

   BLM proposed to replace the rule rather than rescind and reinstate: "Royalty for Oil and Gas Lost From Onshore Federal and Indian Leases" would drop the waste-minimization plan and self-certification requirements, replace sundry-notice evaluations with defined royalty standards and fix definitions of avoidable and unavoidable loss, cutting compliance costs by about $17 million a year. Until then the 2024 rule stands; BLM twice moved its phase-in deadlines instead, by direct final rule on 2025-12-15 and, after significant adverse comment, by a replacement final rule on 2026-04-30. The 2018 Trump waste prevention rule has not been reinstated.

   • BLM proposed rule: Royalty for Oil and Gas Lost From Onshore Federal and Indian Leases (replacing the waste prevention rule)

     Primary Executive branch Jun 24, 2026

   • BLM final rule: Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation; Extension of Phase-In Requirements

     Primary Executive branch Apr 30, 2026

   • Interior press release: Interior Advances Revisions to Oil and Gas Leasing and Waste Prevention Rules to Support American Energy Dominance

     Primary Executive branch Jun 22, 2026

2. Feb 3, 2025 Attempted

   SO 3418 §4(b) lists "Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation," 89 Fed. Reg. 25378 (April 10, 2024) among the documents Assistant Secretaries must plan to suspend, revise or rescind.

   • Secretary's Order 3418, signed text — §4 directs action plans to suspend, revise or rescind SO 3398, SO 3399 and SO 3401 and the Biden-era rules listed with them

     Primary Executive branch Feb 3, 2025

   • Secretary's Order 3418, “Unleashing American Energy” (February 3, 2025)

     Primary Executive branch Feb 3, 2025