In Minnesota, the regulation of gas exploration and development activities is distributed across multiple state agencies. The Lands and Minerals Division’s Gas Production Regulatory Program administers the DNR’s rulemaking and regulatory program for gas resource development in Minnesota.
The gas production regulatory program was created in 2024, when the Minnesota Legislature enacted legislation for developing a regulatory framework for gas production. Gas production is prohibited without a permit issued by the DNR, and DNR was required to write rules covering several topics for that framework. The DNR was also asked to lead a multi-agency Gas Resources Technical Advisory Committee (GTAC) to develop recommendations and draft legislative language for a temporary framework that, if enacted by the Legislature, would regulate gas production during rulemaking.
Legislation enacted in 2024 also gave DNR authority to issue leases for gas exploration and development, with terms and conditions set in statute. The terms of each gas lease are negotiated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the unique geological and environmental aspects of each proposal, control of adjacent lands, and the best interests of the state.
Gas Production Regulatory Program Staff
Pulsar Helium's Jetstream #1 well. Click to enlarge
Mike Liljegren
Assistant Director, Lands and Minerals Division
651-259-5689, [email protected]
Don Elsenheimer
Gas Production Regulatory Manager
651 259-5433, [email protected]
Irina Woldeab
Planning Director – Gas Production Regulatory Program
651 259-5380, [email protected]