oil and gas development

A federal judge ruled that the Bureau of Land Management was mostly in its right when it held off on some oil and gas leases over the last four years. Environmental groups say this sets an important precedent. Meanwhile, Wyoming, who initiated the lawsuit, is looking toward the incoming Trump administration for more favorable actions for the industry.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has to retrace its steps with over 100,000 acres in Wyoming that was leased for oil and gas drilling.

Some Laramie County residents recently submitted a letter to the state, requesting that an air quality monitor be moved to better reflect the air they are breathing in.

The state will be tracking how oil and gas development is affecting air quality in Laramie County over the next year, but some residents question how accurate the data will be.The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (WDEQ) recently moved one of its mobile air quality testing units to Laramie County. There are three units that move across the state periodically to test air.

The leasing of public lands for oil and gas activity continues to be an extremely polarizing topic, with 17 conservation groups pushing back against the leasing in a lawsuit initiated by Wyoming and industry leaders.The heart of the issue began back when President Biden took office in 2021 and the sales were paused nationwide due to environmental concerns, with the exception of one sale which was held this past summer. Typically the sales are held every three months.

Wyoming’s oil production had a relatively strong year after taking a hit during the pandemic, although natural gas saw a slight decline, according to a summary report from the Wyoming State Geological Survey (WSGS).

The saga of lawsuits over oil and gas lease sales on public land continues. On Monday, Dec. 5, two western agencies announced they are suing the federal government.

The state of Wyoming is challenging the federal government over canceled oil and gas lease sales, making it the second lawsuit over the matter.

Relief at the gas pump might not be immediate, according to a new state-issued report on how to reduce fuel prices; however, several ideas could be floated in the upcoming legislative session.

Oil and gas development in Wyoming has burgeoned in the last decade. The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality…the Bureau of Land Management…the…