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 Utah, 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. The state has specific laws that regulate the oil and gas industry, including the Utah Oil and Gas Conservation Act, which sets forth guidelines for the drilling and operation of oil and gas wells to ensure resource conservation and protect correlative rights. Utah also has laws pertaining to mining operations, such as the Utah Mined Land Reclamation Act, which requires reclamation of lands affected by mining activities. Renewable energy resources, such as solar and wind, are also subject to state regulations that encourage development while balancing environmental concerns. Water rights are governed by the Utah Water Rights Act, which administers the appropriation and distribution of water resources. Additionally, environmental protection laws, including the Utah Air Conservation Act and the Utah Water Quality Act, play a significant role in regulating the impact of energy and resource extraction on the environment. Federal laws, such as the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act, also apply and may preempt state regulations in certain circumstances. Attorneys practicing in this field must navigate a complex intersection of state statutes, federal law, and local ordinances to ensure compliance and address legal issues related to energy and natural resources.