Central ND News

BISMARCK – On Thursday, North Dakota was joined by Montana, Texas, and Wyoming in filing a lawsuit in North Dakota Federal District Court challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) newly finalized Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation Rule.

The rule, which establishes a new royalty on flared gas, institutes monthly limits on allowable flaring, and adds new application requirements for operators regarding their ability to capture natural gas before they can obtain a drilling permit, has sparked criticism from various states. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) voiced his concerns, stating, "North Dakota, like other western states, must contend with added, unnecessary bureaucratic red tape in developing federal minerals."

Cramer further added, "The Biden administration has released rule after rule to make it more expensive and difficult to produce energy domestically, and this BLM regulation is another example." Expressing support for North Dakota's stance, he remarked, "This mandate flies in the face of reality, and I applaud North Dakota for leading the suit to strike this rule. I look forward to their success in court."

The legal challenge represents a significant pushback against what some states perceive as burdensome regulations hindering energy production. The outcome of the lawsuit will be closely monitored by industry stakeholders and environmental advocates alike as the debate on methane regulations continues to unfold.