Category: COVID-19

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Alaska DNR Issues One Year Extension for Certain Mining Payments

The Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources has issued an Order granting a one year extension for mining payments due under Alaska Statute 38.05.210 (Annual Labor) and Alaska Statute 38.05.211 (Annual Rental). In response to COVID-19, and in an attempt to stop the spread of the virus, the Alaska Department of Health and Social … Continue Reading

Alaska DNR Issues Guidance for Placer Mining Operations During COVID-19

The Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) Division of Mining, Land and Water has issued guidance for placer mining operations to comply with the state’s COVID-19 health mandates. Mining is identified as “critical infrastructure” in the Alaska Essential Services and Critical Workforce Infrastructure Order. Before traveling to their placer operation, and while at their operation, miners … Continue Reading

Alaska Suspends Fees for Easements, Rights-of-Way, and Mining Leases

State of Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy has issued COVID-19 Disaster Order of Suspension No 2, suspending a long list of statutory and regulatory provisions. The list of suspended statutes includes AS 38.05.850 which authorizes the state to grant easements and rights-of-way for roads, pipelines, and other facilities associated with the extraction of minerals. Under such authorizations, … Continue Reading

AOGCC Implements Electronic Permitting Procedures in Response to Office Shutdowns Caused by COVID-19

Last month, the Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC) announced that it would be implementing electronic permitting procedures in response to office shutdowns caused by COVID-19. The electronic process will also serve as the initial step in developing a fully electronic permitting and reporting system. The initial system will utilize “AOGCC-designed fillable PDF and … Continue Reading

PHMSA Issues Guidance on Enforcement During COVID-19 Outbreak

Like many other regulators, on March 20, 2020 the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) released guidance on enforcement activity during the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. The guidance states that “PHMSA does not intend to take any enforcement action with regard to [operator qualification] and [control room management] requirements, and will consider exercising its … Continue Reading
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