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A federal judge blocked new oil and gas drilling permits in Wyoming until the Bureau of Land Management adequately assesses climate change impacts. This is the second time that the court has rebuked environmental assessments on these particular leases. Last year, U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras blocked drilling on the parcels, directing the BLM to consider greenhouse gas emissions from oil and gas extracted on public lands before allowing development to start. The latest ruling found that the BLM's latest attempt is still “sloppy and rushed” and does not comply with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.
This ruling is the latest example of the Trump administration's "energy dominance" agenda losing in court. Last month, a court found that other lease sales in Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Montana had also not been properly reviewed. The administration's losing record extends beyond oil and gas leasing as well. The Institute for Policy Integrity found that out of 158 environmental cases, the Trump administration lost 131 cases and won only 27.
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[Interior's LWCF rule change] is consistent with the disdain Bernhardt has had for the Land and Water Conservation Fund. He tried to defund it for three years and now he’s throwing sand in the gears before he leaves. Really, these guys are just making it up as they go along right now because they know it doesn’t matter. They are going to be gone soon.”
