On-again, off-again attempt to limit harmful methane emissions on Federal lands outside again.
A Federal judge in Wyoming was stopped in its pure air the rule indefinitely, saying that “no sense” to force oil and gas companies in accordance with the Obama-era rule, when trump administration to roll back regulations 2016.
The Ministry of interior is taking comments on the proposed rewrite and plans to publish a final rule this summer.
Meanwhile, judge Scott Skavdahl said the earlier the rule will provide “minimum social benefits” in the introduction of potentially significant costs on the industry.
“Unfortunately, and unfortunately, this case is symbolic of the dysfunction in the current state of administrative law,” Skavdahl wrote in the 11-page conclusion Wednesday in Casper, WY. “Unfortunately, this is not the first time that this dysfunction undermines the process of administrative review in this court.”
Skavdahl ruling is the latest in a back-and-forth series of court decisions and administrative actions as the trump administration is trying to weaken or delay the rule introduced in the last days of the Obama administration.
In November 2016 rules forcing energy companies to capture the methane is burned or disposed of on drilling sites on public lands.
Methane emissions are a key factor contributing to climate change. Methane, the main component of natural gas, much more potent at trapping heat than carbon dioxide, but not to stay in the air for so long.
Many companies consider the Federal rule is unnecessary and overly Intrusive, and noted that companies have an economic incentive to capture methane, so they can sell it.
A Federal judge in San Francisco restored the rule in February, even as the trump administration proposed a new, significantly weaken the original.
The courts in Wyoming and California have published conflicting opinions on the rule, and bet on Congress to repeal measure failed in the Republican-controlled Senate.
Dan Naatz, Vice President of government Affairs for the independent petroleum Association of America, welcomed the court’s decision.
“The new rule released,” he said. “The Agency is taking comments on it now.” Trying to apply the rule of Obama-era at the same time just to cause confusion, he added.
But Peter Zalzal, an attorney for the environmental defense Fund, said the ruling “effectively punish” law-abiding companies, which were in accordance with the new standards”, and rewarding those in the oil and gas industry that are foolishly wasting valuable public resource and squandering taxpayers ‘ hard-earned money.”
Environmental groups have promised to appeal on this case will probably make another legal round in such contested case.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com
