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Massive public input spurs changes; Office of Management and Budget will look at cost impacts before updated draft rule is released
Drill rig in a natural gas field in Wyoming. Photo courtesy SkyTruth, via Flickr.
By Bob Berwyn
SUMMIT COUNTY — A draft rule to govern hydraulic fracturing on public lands around the country will get another look before it’s reissued for additional public comment, federal officials said last week, explaining that they will released a revised draft sometime in the next three months, after a review by the Office of Management and Budget.
“In response to comments from stakeholders and the public, the BLM is making improvements to the draft proposal in order to maximize flexibility, facilitate coordination with state practices and ensure that operators on public lands implement best practices,” said Department of Interior spokesman Blake Androff.
The original draft version was published May 2012 and elicited 170,000 comments. Industry groups oppose a federal fracking rule because they say it would impose additional costs without adding any benefits. Existing state regulations are adequate for regulating energy development on public lands, said Kathleen Sgamma, VP of government and public affairs with the Western Energy Alliance. (more…)
Filed under: energy, Environment, gas drilling, oil drilling | Tagged: BLM, BLM national fracking rule, energy, Environment, fracking, hydraulic fracturing | 1 Comment »
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