[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 29, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 34172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13803]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

30 CFR Part 250

Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

30 CFR Part 550

[Docket ID BSEE-2019-0008, EEEE500000, 21XE1700DX, EX1SF0000.EAQ000]
RIN 1082-AA01


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

AGENCY: Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) and 
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Withdrawal of proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI or Department), 
acting through BSEE and BOEM, hereby withdraws in its entirety the 
proposed rule published on December 9, 2020, entitled ``Revisions to 
the Requirements for Exploratory Drilling on the Arctic Outer 
Continental Shelf.''

DATES: As of the date of signature, June 23, 2021, the proposed rule 
published on December 9, 2020, at 85 FR 79266 is withdrawn.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on any BSEE issues, 
contact Kirk Malstrom, BSEE, at [email protected] or at (703) 787-
1751. For questions on any BOEM issues, contact Deanna Meyer-
Pietruszka, BOEM, Chief, Office of Policy, Regulation, and Analysis, at 
[email protected] or by mail to 1849 C Street NW, 
Washington, DC 22040 or by calling (202) 208-6352.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On July 15, 2016, BSEE and BOEM promulgated 
a narrowly focused rule (see 2016 Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule at 
81 FR 46478) revising the regulations applicable to exploratory 
drilling operations conducted during the Arctic Outer Continental Shelf 
(OCS) open-water drilling season by drilling vessels and ``jack-up 
rigs'' (collectively known as mobile offshore drilling units or MODUs) 
in the Beaufort Sea and Chukchi Sea Planning Areas. The regulations 
promulgated through the 2016 Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule were 
intended to ensure that Arctic OCS exploratory drilling operations are 
conducted in a safe and responsible manner, while taking into account 
the unique conditions of the Arctic OCS as well as Alaska Natives' 
cultural traditions and their need for access to subsistence resources.
    E.O. 13795, ``Implementing an America-First Offshore Energy 
Strategy'' (82 FR 20815), issued on April 28, 2017, and S.O. 3350, 
``America-First Offshore Energy Strategy,'' issued on May 1, 2017, 
directed BSEE and BOEM to undertake a review of the 2016 Arctic 
Exploratory Drilling Rule. In response, on December 9, 2020, the 
Department published the proposed rule: ``Oil and Gas and Sulfur 
Operations on the Outer Continental Shelf--Revisions to the 
Requirements for Exploratory Drilling on the Arctic Outer Continental 
Shelf'' (85 FR 79266) (2020 Proposed Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule). 
The proposed rule provided a 60-day public comment period, which closed 
February 8, 2021. After publication of the proposed rule, BSEE and BOEM 
received requests to extend the comment period for 60 days. BSEE and 
BOEM subsequently re-opened the comment period for an additional 60 
days through a notice published in the Federal Register on February 10, 
2021 (86 FR 8878). That comment period closed on April 9, 2021.
    Since publication of the 2020 Proposed Arctic Exploratory Drilling 
Rule, President Biden issued E.O. 13990, ``Protecting Public Health and 
the Environment and Restoring Science to Tackle the Climate Crisis'' 
(86 FR 7037, Jan. 25, 2021). E.O. 13990 establishes a policy to, among 
other things, promote and protect public health and the environment. 
Section 7 of the E.O. revoked E.O. 13795. Further, on April 16, 2021, 
Secretary Haaland issued S.O. 3398, which revoked S.O. 3350. The 
Department has decided it will not proceed with a final rule codifying 
any provisions of the 2020 Proposed Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule, 
and the proposed rule is hereby withdrawn. The withdrawal of the 
proposed rule does not preclude the Department from initiating the same 
or a similar rulemaking at a future date. Should the Department decide 
to undertake such a rulemaking, it will begin with a new proposed rule 
and provide new opportunities for comment.

Laura Daniel-Davis,
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, Land and Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 2021-13803 Filed 6-28-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-VH-P; 4310-MR-P