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.

wyofile.com

Court halts federal oil permits over incorrect groundwater data

Inside the campaign to discredit a key climate science report

Why the media keep quoting the same climate scientist

Want a job drilling for geothermal? A Northeast training hub is coming

Mark Carney adviser says AI data centres ‘provide markets’ for gas

Opinion: Feds order a Florida power plant to keep burning dirty coal

Despite record renewable growth, China is still betting on coal

Can controlled burns reduce California’s air pollution?

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.