The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has published a notice of intent to adopt rules that would regulate gas resource development projects and is inviting the public to comment on these draft rules through July 2, 2026.
In 2024, Minnesota prohibited gas production in the state without a permit from the DNR. At the same time, DNR and other state agencies were authorized to establish rules to regulate gas resource production in the state. The draft rules on which DNR is currently seeking comment would establish its part of this regulatory framework.
Public input opportunities
The DNR invites anyone interested in the regulation of gas resource development in Minnesota to review the draft rules and provide comments. The 45-day public comment period starts on May 18, 2026, and will end at 4:30 p.m. on July 2, 2026.
Anyone may submit written comments on the proposed rules to [email protected]. Please visit the DNR website for more in-depth information and additional documentation on the draft rules.
After the closing of the comment period, the DNR will review and consider all comments prior to making a decision on whether to adopt the rules, with or without amendments.
About the gas resources development and the rulemaking process
In February 2024, an exploration company confirmed the discovery of helium gas on private land in Lake County and reported that the drilling results indicated the potential for commercial production. At the same time, interest has grown in natural hydrogen resources along a geologic formation known as the Midcontinent Rift System. In Minnesota, the rift system extends from Lake Superior to the Iowa border. There has been no prior development of gas resources in Minnesota and the state lacks a regulatory framework for commercial gas production.
In 2024, DNR was directed to use the expedited rulemaking process to adopt or amend rules to address several gas production regulatory topics, including permitting, reclamation, financial assurance, siting and setbacks, and pooling and spacing. The DNR was given a May 22, 2026, deadline to publish a notice of intent to adopt those rules in the State Register. For more information about this rulemaking process, visit the DNR website.