November 6, 2023 |
Photo – An oil rig in the Wind Rivers – Courtesy Wikipedia
A federal judge last week dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and WildEarth Guardians against the Department of Interior, Debra Haaland, Bureau of Land Management, and Tracy Stone-Manning for lack of standing by the plaintiffs.
Governor Mark Gordon said the decision is “a victory for American families who need affordable oil and gas that is produced responsibly in Wyoming.”
The lawsuit aimed to shut down all drilling permits in the state of Wyoming issued after 2021. Had the case been upheld, close to 900 applications would have been vacated in the Cowboy State, along with more in New Mexico.
The lawsuit claimed that “climate change is driven primarily by the burning of fossil fuels for energy and transportation.” The Santa Fe, New Mexico-based environmental group argued against the drilling because of:
- Climate change is pushing endangered species to extinction.
- Degradation of public lands.
- Greenhouse gas emissions.
The Petroleum Association of Wyoming welcomed the decision issued by U.S. District Court Judge Tanya S. Chutkan, District of Columbia. PAW said in an email that “Vacating 900 ADPs in Wyoming would have wreaked havoc on Wyoming’s economy, our schools and communities from Gillette to Pinedale and Cheyenne to Wapiti.”
Wyoming produces about 12 times more energy than it consumes, making the state second-biggest net energy supplier in the nation. Governor Gordon said the court’s decision was welcome.
