Environmental group predicts sharp increase in oil, gas drilling across West

BILLINGS, Montana: Oil and gas drilling on federal lands across the Rocky Mountain West could increase by more than 160 percent over the next two decades due in part to pro-industry regulations enacted by the Bush administration, according to a report by an environmental group.

The Washington, D.C.-based Wilderness Society analyzed drilling plans and said oil and gas exploration was poised to push into some of the West’s most environmentally sensitive areas. That includes plans to drill in Colorado’s Roan Plateau, the Upper Green River Basin in Wyoming and Montana’s portion of the Powder River Basin.
“The impacts of this type of development would be truly staggering. It would likely well exceed 1 million acres,” said the Wilderness Society’s Nada Culver, who authored the report released Monday. “This is the time to take a step back and consider what current levels of drilling are already doing to our public and private lands.”

At least one federal official questioned the accuracy of the report, arguing it appeared to be based partially on plans that are not yet final.

The report comes amid a bitter debate in Washington over the national security benefits of domestic drilling versus its potential effects on water, air quality and wildlife. Congress is considering legislation that would reverse portions of the administration’s 2005 Energy Policy Act to tighten oversight of drilling.

International Herald Tribune