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Bill to waive federal drilling permits in split-estate cases draws sharp critique from environmental and local groups
Summary
H.R. 1555 would allow states to issue drilling permits when federal minerals account for less than half of the subsurface. Supporters say it cuts duplication; critics warn it removes site-specific NEPA review and undercuts protections for private surface owners.
An industry-backed bill that would remove Bureau of Land Management permitting requirements in some split-estate situations drew sustained criticism from environmental witnesses and Democratic members at a House Subcommittee hearing.
H.R. 1555, described by proponents as the BLM Mineral Spacing Act, would eliminate the federal APD requirement where (they say) operators extract less than 50% of their product from federal reserves and no federal surface rights are implicated. Supporters — including the BLM’s Mitchell Leverett in his testimony and trade groups such as the Independent Petroleum Association of America — said the change…
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