The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation in North Dakota hosts more than 1,000 fracking wells. Photo by Talli Nauman / Native Sun News
A federal judge has extended a hold on a controversial fracking rule that affects public and Indian lands. Judge Scott Skavdahl of Wyoming delayed the Bureau of Land Management rule as part of a lawsuit involving the the energy industry and four states. The hold was set to expire tomorrow. But the BLM asked for another delay in order to compile more documents for the lawsuit, The Casper Star-Tribune reported. The hold will remain until August 28, the paper said. The rule sets hydraulic fracturing standards on federal and Indian lands. It was due to go into effect on June 24 before being halted by the litigation. Meanwhile, Republicans on Capitol Hill are trying to outright block the rule or at least give tribes and states more flexibility to avoid it. Provisions have been included in an appropriations bill that has been delayed due to controversy over the Confederate flag. Get the Story:
BLM fracking rule delayed another month (The Casper Star-Tribune 7/21)
Official defends fracking rules for federal lands (The Hill 7/15) Federal Register Notice:
Oil and Gas; Hydraulic Fracturing on Federal and Indian Lands (March 26, 2015)
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