A federal judge has denied a request by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of Montana to halt new coalbed methane drilling in the Powder River basin.

The tribe and an environmental group wanted drilling stopped while the Bureau of Land Management prepares a new study. The judge previously ruled the study was flawed.

But the judge said limited development could occur pending additional review. Up to 500 wells could be drilled.

Get the Story:
Powder River Basin methane projects limited (The Billings Gazette 4/6)
Methane development allowed pending study (AP 4/6)

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