The Obama administration is extending the comment period on a regulation affecting hydraulic fracturing on public and Indian lands.

The comment period was due to close June 24. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee this morning that the public will get another 60 days to respond to the rule.

The Interior Department maintains it has broad authority to regulate "all" oil and gas activity on Indian lands. Such activity would include fracking but some tribes say the federal government lacks authority to do so.

H.R.1548, the Native American Energy Act, bars DOI from regulating fracking on Indian lands without the "express consent" of the tribe or the individual Indian owner. The Obama administration opposes the bill, a Bureau of Indian Affairs official said at at hearing on April 26.

Get the Story:
Interior gives more time for comments on frac rule proposal (Oil & Gas Journal 6/6)

Committee Notice
FULL COMMITEE HEARING: To review programs and activities of the Department of the Interior ( June 6, 2013)

Federal Register Notice:
Oil and Gas; Hydraulic Fracturing on Federal and Indian Lands (May 24, 2013)

Related Stories:
DOI defends inclusion of Indian lands in fracking regulation (05/24)
DOI releases update to fracking regulation on Indian lands (5/16)
House Natural Resources Committee hearing on fracking rule (5/6)
Report warns of threats from fracking to water supply in West (5/2)
Audio from House subcommittee hearing on Indian energy bill (4/26)
Coalition of Large Tribes criticizes DOI regulation for fracking (5/10)