WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement regarding the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) final rule for hydraulic fracturing of oil and natural gas wells on federal lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM):

“Hydraulic fracturing is a principal reason America has created thousands of jobs, increased our energy security, and lowered energy costs for families and businesses.

“The Bureau of Land Management’s rule is a solution looking for a problem. For years, Wyoming and other western states have enforced the country’s most aggressive hydraulic fracturing regulations—regulations which also apply to federal lands within their borders.

“Oil and gas production is critical to the economies of western states. This duplicative rule will only put the West at an even greater disadvantage to other areas of the country. It’s high time the Obama Administration recognize this reality and let states continue to lead in this important sector of our economy.”

Background:

On August 19th, 2013, Senator Barrasso was joined by Senator Mike Enzi and Representative Cynthia Lummis, both R-Wyo., in sending a letter to Secretary of the Interior, Sally Jewell, requesting an exemption for Wyoming and other states currently regulating hydraulic fracturing from the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) final rule on hydraulic fracturing.

On June 6th, 2013, in response to a question from Senator Barrasso at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing, Secretary Jewell stated that Wyoming is “a good example of a state doing an effective job” regulating hydraulic fracturing.

On July 17th, 2013, in response to a question from Representative Lummis at a House Natural Resources Committee hearing, Secretary Jewell stated that Wyoming has “great, sophisticated” hydraulic fracturing regulations.

On February 24th, 2015, Senator Barrasso questioned Secretary Jewell about whether or not Wyoming and other states would be able to apply for and obtain a “variance” under the BLM’s hydraulic fracturing regulations.

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