A federal judge on Tuesday temporarily blocked the Bureau of Land Management from putting into effect the government’s new rules for fracking on federal public land.
U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skavdahl of Wyoming granted a request by oil-producing states Colorado, North Dakota, Utah and Wyoming to temporarily delay the rules until the court has a chance to review whether they are legal.
The BLM rules issued March 20 — after years of work — require oil and gas companies to reveal the chemicals they inject, to meet construction standards when drilling wells and to dispose of contaminated water safely.
Colorado and the other states contend the federal BLM cannot impose regulations on hydraulic fracturing, arguing that federal law lets states regulate oil and gas operations.
The rules were to take effect Wednesday. Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman said the state is pleased the court agreed to grant a stay.
“We believe these rules intrude on Colorado’s sovereign right to responsibly and safely regulate the oil and gas industry within our borders,” Coffman said in a statement.
The American Petroleum Institute has said the rules will impose new costs and lead to delays. The Denver-based Western energy alliance also applauded the temporary delay.
