Federal Officials Address Effects of Fracking on Groundwater and Climate Change

The Interior Department stated in a court filing that federal officials thoroughly considered the impact of fracking on groundwater and climate change when leasing federal land in Wyoming for oil and gas development in 2022. The filing was made in response to a lawsuit filed by two environmental groups challenging the lease sale.

The Bureau of Land Management, an agency under the Interior Department, defended their actions by asserting that they had taken into account the potential consequences of fracking on the environment. Specifically, they claimed to have thoroughly evaluated the effects on groundwater and climate change before proceeding with the lease sale.

The state of Wyoming also filed a cross-motion for summary judgment in May, supporting the agency’s position. Both the Wilderness Society and Friends of the Earth were the environmental groups involved in the legal challenge against the lease sale.

While specifics of the evaluation were not disclosed, it is evident that federal officials aimed to address concerns over fracking and its potential impact on groundwater and climate change. The Interior Department’s filing suggests that they took these considerations seriously before approving the lease sale.

Fracking, known as hydraulic fracturing, is a method used to extract natural gas and oil from underground shale formations. However, it has raised concerns about potential contamination of groundwater and contribution to climate change through the release of methane gas.

In response to these concerns, federal officials carefully analyzed the potential risks and impacts associated with fracking before leasing the federal land in question. Although the details of their evaluation were not provided in the court filing, it indicates that comprehensive assessments were conducted to inform their decision-making process.

Overall, the Interior Department’s court filing reaffirms their commitment to addressing the potential effects of fracking on groundwater and climate change, emphasizing a thorough evaluation process conducted before the lease sale in Wyoming.