Federal court strikes down administration rule regulating hydraulic fracturing on federal lands

Congressional leaders applauded a federal court decision on Wednesday that struck down the Obama administration’s regulation of hydraulic fracturing on federal lands.

In the ruling, a federal judge struck down regulations against hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, on federal lands issued last year by the Department of Interior.

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) said that he was pleased that the administration’s “regulatory overreach” had been recognized and overruled by the federal courts.

“Much of our nation’s oil and natural gas production originates from hydraulic fracking, and Oklahoma has benefitted greatly from the fracking industry,” Cole said. “Without congressional approval, the administration cannot impose these unauthorized regulations, and take away states’ rights for energy production. Again and again, the Administration has attempted to put environmental concerns over American prosperity. I’m glad to see energy production put back into the hands of hard-working Americans.”

House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) said the ruling reaffirms what member of Congress previously argued – the Department of Interior doesn’t have the authority to regulate fracking.

“Fracking is one of the many technological advancements that have played an outsized role in developing unconventional shale plays and contributed to our country’s energy renaissance, economic growth and the creation of tens of thousands of good-paying jobs,” Scalise said. “While I’m happy with today’s ruling, I will continue fighting to protect American jobs from President Obama’s extremist war on energy.” 

U.S. Sen. John Hoeven (R-ND) said that states have managed fracking with good environmental stewardship for decades, and that the regulation would have duplicated local efforts and added layers of bureaucracy.

“Further, by restricting and delaying development on public lands, this rule would have severely reduced royalties to federal and state government,” Hoeven said. “Thankfully, Judge Scott Skavdahl with the U.S. District Court in Wyoming has ruled what we have argued all along — that the Interior Department and the (Bureau of Land Management) do not have the authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing. We will continue working to empower our nation’s energy development through a states-first approach, which will help to ensure regulatory certainty and environmental quality.”

U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) called the ruling “great news for Montana made energy and Montana made jobs.”

“It’s important that the Obama administration’s over-regulation tyranny comes to an end,” Daines said. “Yet, another court decision confirms: President Obama can’t make laws with his phone and pen.” 

More Articles About Tom Cole
More Articles About Energy