Legal Ruling
U.S. District Court Judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking the enforcement of a Biden administration rule aimed at reducing natural gas venting and flaring in , , , , and , citing significant infringement on states' rights.
The rule, designed to curb natural gas waste on federal and Tribal lands, was challenged by these states, arguing it overstepped federal authority and hindered production. The BLM estimated the rule could generate over $50 million in additional natural gas royalty payments annually.
Political and Industry Reactions
North Dakota Governor and Attorney General praised the ruling as a temporary victory for energy independence, criticizing the rule as an overreach that undermines state regulatory authority under the Clean Air Act.
The North Dakota Petroleum Council celebrated the decision, highlighting the rule's potential to impose stringent flaring limits and costly compliance requirements, particularly affecting smaller operators.