The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced that the comment period for the proposed rule to amend the BLM's commercial oil shale regulations has been reopened for 30 days. This rule would amend certain environmental protection requirements and issues about the royalty system for shale oil resources.

Several options are being considered for royalties, including an open comment period for each new lease sale, a sliding royalty rate based on market prices, and establishing an initial minimum royalty of 12.5% which could increase to a higher rate after the lease sale. 

Several parties requested the extension in order to review the proposed revisions and potential impacts.

Comments are due by July 15, 2013.