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THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2002

Deputy Secretary of Interior J. Steven Griles tried to suppress a report critical of efforts to drill in the Powder River Basin, The Washington Post reports today.

According to sources the paper cited, Griles told a senior Environmental Protection Agency official not to allow a negative rating of an environmental impact statement (EIS) on coalbed methane drilling. A regional EPA administrator said the EIS was "EU-3" for environmentally unsatisfactory.

An Interior spokesperson denied the charges. Mark Pfeifle told the paper Griles only wanted the Interior and EPA to work together.

Last week, the public comment period on the EIS was extended until May 15 due to EPA concerns. The drilling industry opposes the delay.

Get the Story:
Interior Official Challenges EPA Report on Energy Site (The Washington Post 4/25)
Methane bonding to get more costly (AP 4/25)
Combined methane plans urged (AP 4/25)

Relevant Links:
Montana DEQ Coal Bed Methane Plan - http://www.deq.state.mt.us/coalbedmethane/index.asp
Coalbed Methane, Region 8 - http://www.epa.gov/region08/water/
wastewater/npdeshome/cbm/cbm.html

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EPA meets with tribes on drilling (2/14)
Mont. tribe pushing water standards (1/23)
Mont. tribe developing water standards (12/20)
Methane standards to affect tribes (9/26)