As one who has written extensively and spoken at more than a dozen conferences on the subject of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, I am often asked about the environmental and human health risks that may be associated with fracking. The questions I am most frequently asked include: Will fracking contaminate groundwater or surface water? Are […]
The reaction to and analysis of the recent decision (pdf) issued by Judge Paul Grewal in Center for Biological Diversity v. Bureau of Land Management has been extensive and fascinating. While the decision will impede the ability of oil and gas operators to conduct hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, operations on certain federal lands in California, […]
On Tuesday, January 15, 2013, the United States District Court for the Northern District of California will conduct a hearing on cross-motions for summary judgment filed by the parties in Center for Biological Diversity v. Bureau of Land Management. The case, filed December 8, 2011, by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Sierra Club, challenges the Bureau of […]
As we previously reported, on August 29, 2012, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) gave notice of its intent to sue the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for alleged violations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Last week, BLM responded (pdf) to CBD’s notice, rejecting CBD’s central contention that BLM has unlawfully failed to reinitiate consultation under the […]
On October 16, 2012, four environmental groups filed a state court action alleging that California’s Division of Oil, Gas & Geothermal Resources (DOGGR) has failed to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) in the permitting process for oil and gas operations, including hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” in the state. A copy of the […]
On August 29, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) gave notice of its intent to sue the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for alleged violations of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). CBD’s notice asserts that BLM has unlawfully failed to reinitiate consultation under the ESA in connection with claimed risks to various ESA-listed species caused by hydraulic […]
As we reported in early May, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced a proposed rule that would regulate the practice of hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” on federal and native American lands. A copy of the proposed rule may be found here. The proposed rule would (1) require disclosure to the public of chemicals used in hydraulic fracturing on […]
Late last week, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) filed an answer in an action challenging its sale of oil and gas leases in California. A copy of the answer may be found here. BLM’s answer was filed in a lawsuit on which we first reported in December. Filed by the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Sierra Club, the lawsuit […]
Yesterday, the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Sierra Club filed a federal action in the Northern District of California challenging the Bureau of Land Management‘s (BLM) leasing of property in Monterey and Fresno counties for oil and gas development. A copy of the action may be found here. The suit arises from BLM’s September 14, 2011, lease of three […]