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September 12th, 2011

BLM to initiate rulemaking on oil, gas provision

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Associated Press, 09.09.11, 02:38 PM EDT

DENVER — The Bureau of Land Management plans to write new guidelines for using a provision that allows for speedier environmental reviews of oil and gas development on public land.

BLM Deputy Director Mike Pool said at a House subcommittee hearing Friday that the public will have a chance to comment as it writes new rules for using so-called “categorical exclusions” of certain land from extra environmental reviews.

The exclusions were allowed under a 2005 law aimed at streamlining approvals needed for oil and gas development on federal land. The BLM developed guidance last year on how to use the exclusions, but a federal judge last month said the agency hadn’t given the public a chance to comment on it first.

Pool says he expects high interest in the rulemaking effort.

Original Article