"Judge Strikes Down Federal Fracking Rule"

"A U.S. District Court judge in Wyoming has struck down a rule that would have governed fracking on federal lands.

Judge Scott Skavdahl concluded in his ruling that the Department of the Interior does not have the authority to regulate fracking and called the attempt to do so an “end-run” around the 2005 Energy Policy Act. That law explicitly exempted fracking from regulation by another arm of the executive branch—the Environmental Protection Agency.

Among other things, the Interior rule would have required more testing of wells on federal lands, to ensure they don’t leak, as well the disclosure of chemicals used in fracking."

Stephanie Joyce reports for Wyoming Public Radio June 22, 2016.

SEE ALSO:

"Judge: US Agency Lacks Authority to Set Rules on Fracking" (AP)

"Obama-Appointed Judge Strikes Down Federal Fracking Rule" (The Hill)