Wyoming legislators inquire about oil, gas lease permitting

Sens. Mike Enzi (R-WY), John Barrasso (R-WY) and Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) recently requested information from the Department of the Interior (DOI) regarding efforts ensuring continuous future development of federal oil and gas leases there.

The inquiry was initiated in the wake of the Wild Earth Guardians v. Zinke court decision, which halted drill permitting on Wyoming oil and gas leases.

The legislators forwarded correspondence to the DOI encouraging the agency to work to meet environmental permitting requirements and if necessary appeal the final decision to establish a clear standard regarding greenhouse gas analyses in environmental reviews.

“Energy development is the backbone of Wyoming’s economy, and our state is a top-ten producer of oil and natural gas,” the legislators wrote. “Given that the federal government manages nearly half of Wyoming’s lands, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plays a large role in Wyoming’s energy economy.”

The delegation maintains such court cases arise at the behest of environmental groups whose stated desire is to end all oil and gas development.

“We are also concerned these groups will continue to pursue litigation without resolution,” the legislators wrote. “It is imperative that DOI continue to expeditiously and thoroughly complete its analyses, and see these matters to completion so final decisions are attained.”