Energy Policy Balancing Act Heads to Congress
Monday, May 21, 2007
An energy policy "balancing act" has landed in Congress. It's a new bill based on concerns from landowners, sportsmen, and conservation groups in Wyoming and throughout the West. Andy Blair with the Wyoming Outdoor Council says there have been too many incidents of energy developers setting up shop on private land without advance notice, or without negotiating to repair damage.
“[Congress] wants to give surface owners further notification up-front, and then also more power in the negotiating.”
Blair points out that some energy companies have done a good job in making sure private property is repaired, but a few bad players have created the need for a tougher law. The bill also gives direction to the Bureau of Land Management to consider wildlife protection when issuing permits. It would also protect homeowner and agricultural water supplies.
Blair believes Wyoming has too often been seen as a "sacrifice zone" for energy development, and the new energy balancing bill will help boost morale.
“I would think that it would give people in Wyoming heart regarding the pace of development at least, as well as the impact surrounding that development.”
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