US Judge blocks oil, gas drilling over climate worries

A judge has blocked oil and gas drilling on almost 500 square miles (1,295 sq. kilometers) in Wyoming and says the government must consider the cumulative climate change impact of leasing public lands across the U.S. for oil and gas exploration.

The order marks the latest in a string of rulings over the past decade faulting the U.S. for its inadequate consideration of greenhouse gas emissions when issuing leases for oil, gas and coal.

But U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras appeared to go a step further than previous rulings. Contreras said late Tuesday the U.S. Bureau of Land Management must consider nationwide emissions from past, present and future oil and gas leases.

The ruling was in a lawsuit challenging leases issued in Wyoming, Utah and Colorado in 2015 and 2016.

Update:
WASHINGTON D.C. (KIFI/KIDK)

Wyoming U.S. Representative Liz Cheney (R) was not pleased with the judge’s action and vowed to find a legislative remedy. She issued this statement:

“A U.S. District Court Judge’s ruling in WildEarth Guardians v. Zinke reflects the litigation strategy used by far-left environmental extremists to thwart energy development in Wyoming. It is yet another example why the administration needs to overhaul NEPA implementation across the federal government. I will continue to work with President Trump to pursue policies that restore the voice of local stakeholders in Wyoming and reduce the serial litigation imposed by radical environmental groups.”