Court halts federal oil permits over incorrect groundwater data

A federal judge blocked new oil and gas drilling permits in a Wyoming county after finding that groundwater estimates were exaggerated by a factor of 10,000, potentially harming the environment.

Angus M. Thuermer Jr. reports for WyoFile.

In short:

• The Bureau of Land Management overstated groundwater availability, a critical resource for oil drilling, in its environmental review.
• Conservation groups sued, alleging the faulty data ignored impacts on wildlife and local water resources.
• Developers projected the field would create 8,000 jobs and billions in revenue, but the court paused permits until issues are resolved.

Key quote:

“Defendants concede [the groundwater estimates] are off … by a factor of 10,000.”

— U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan

Why this matters:

Inaccurate groundwater data could deplete vital resources, harming local communities and ecosystems. Pausing the project allows for proper environmental oversight and protection of species like sage grouse while addressing community concerns.

Related:

• Recent court rulings bolster state power to safeguard groundwater
• Global groundwater is contaminated by 'forever' chemicals at alarming levels, study reveals
• Underground fuel storage tanks continue to threaten groundwater