Obama Toughens Oil Drilling Rules

[SpartanDem]

Major reform of federal oil and gas leasing will require more detailed environmental reviews, more public input and less use of a provision to streamline leasing, the Interior Department announced today.

"The previous administration's 'anywhere, anyhow' policy on oil and gas development ran afoul of communities, carved up the landscape, and fueled costly conflicts that created uncertainty for investors and industry," Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said in a statement. "We need a fresh look -- from inside the federal government and from outside -- at how we can better manage Americans' energy resources."

The new policy will require a more detailed environmental review prior to leasing oil and natural gas on public lands. The Bureau of Land Management will engage the public in developing master leasing and development plans before leasing areas where intensive new oil and gas development is anticipated, it said. Interior said the intent is to fully consider other important natural resource values prior to making an irreversible commitment to develop an area.

Interior will also require a comprehensive parcel review process that takes a site-specific approach to individual lease sales. Each potential lease sale will undergo increased internal and external coordination, public participation, interdisciplinary review of available information, confirmation of resource management plan conformance, and national, state and local guidance as well as site visits to parcels when necessary to supplement or validate existing data.



http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2010/01/06/06greenwire-interior-curbs-oil-and-gas-lease-streamlining-59957.html





There goes Obama working for big business and against the American people once again.

[The Wielding Truth]

1. This is a little step in the "best" direction. I won't say "right".

[DJ13]

2. Now if he would just regulate speculators in the NYMEX

You just have to know the traders will claim any reduction in potential future production will be grounds to further run up oil prices based on anticipated shortages.

[Cha]

3. What a concept..all us environmentalists are loving

this!

"The new policy will require a more detailed environmental review prior to leasing oil and natural gas on public lands. The Bureau of Land Management will engage the public in developing master leasing and development plans before leasing areas where intensive new oil and gas development is anticipated, it said. Interior said the intent is to fully consider other important natural resource values prior to making an irreversible commitment to develop an area."

[Cha]

4. Thanks for this, Spartan Dem..

I'd like to cross post this in the BOG..I can't use a link but would like to post it in the "What this admin has accomlished so far", thread.:)

[mzmolly]

5. Meet the new boss, same as the old...

Nevermind. ;)