California AG and New Mexico AG Filed Motion to Intervene to Defend Interior Department Valuation Rule
JULY 31, 2019
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and New Mexico Attorney General Hector Balderas filed a motion to intervene to defend the Interior Department’s 2016 Valuation Rule against a challenge brought by a group of coal companies. The 2016 Valuation Rule ensures that fossil fuel developers operating on public lands make fair royalty payments for extracted coal, oil and gas resources by closing a loophole that allowed companies to base royalty payments on sham sales to their subsidiaries at far-below market rates. In their motion to intervene, AG Becerra and AG Balderas noted that the Valuation Rule would result in estimated annual royalty payment increases between $71.9 and $84.9 million.
- Documents: Motion to InterveneCA Press Release
- Document Type: Motions Press Releases/Statements
- States: California New Mexico
- Agencies: Department of the Interior Office of Natural Resources Revenue
- Issues: Coal Fossil Fuels Mining Oil and Gas Public Lands Public Lands & Wildlife Public Lands Leasing Seismic Testing
- Era: Obama Administration
- Explanation of Outcome:This case was a partial win because the court vacated part of the rule and upheld other parts. The judgment can be found here.
- Action Type: Litigation