Pruitt Objecting To BIA Energy Production Rules
State agencies object to proposed energy production rules in Oklahoma
By Adam Wilmoth
Two state agencies on Tuesday challenged proposed federal rules for jurisdiction and oil and gas production in Osage County.
In the 11-page letter to the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, Oklahoma Attorney General Scott Pruitt objected to language regarding water rights and said state regulators should have jurisdiction.
“The State of Oklahoma, not the federal government, is best equipped to design, administer and enforce laws and regulations related to oil and gas development,” Pruitt said. “State regulatory programs have been carefully designed to address state-specific issues and are applied consistently, regularly reviewed, and continuously subjected to thoughtful administrative oversight unlike the federal program that is notorious for frequent and prolonged delays.
“The BIA should start over with the rule-making process in order to address these issues.”