Energy and natural resources law includes a broad range of legal issues related to natural resources; their use as a source of energy; and their use in many important products and materials.

Examples of natural resources include oil (petroleum), natural gas, minerals, solar, wind, water, geothermal, biomass, electric, hydrogen and fuel cells, nuclear, trees, cotton, coal, iron ore, gold, copper, manganese, bauxite ore, cobalt, platinum, chromium, and diamonds.

As with other legal topics, some legal issues related to energy and natural resources law may also be categorized under another legal topic name, such as environmental law, water law, or oil, gas, and minerals law, for example.

In Alabama, energy and natural resources law encompasses a variety of statutes and regulations that govern the extraction, production, and use of natural resources for energy and other purposes. This includes the management of oil, natural gas, minerals, and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Alabama's legal framework for these resources is designed to balance economic development with environmental protection and public interest. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) and the State Oil and Gas Board are key regulatory agencies overseeing these sectors. The state has specific statutes that regulate mining activities, oil and gas production, and environmental protection, such as the Alabama Surface Mining Act and the Oil and Gas Conservation Act. Additionally, federal laws like the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act also apply to energy and natural resource activities within the state. Legal issues in this area may intersect with environmental law, water law, and specific statutes related to oil, gas, and mineral law. Attorneys practicing in this field must navigate a complex web of state and federal regulations to ensure compliance and address disputes that arise in the course of energy production and natural resource management.