BLM Recission Of California Drilling Permit MOU Draws Praise, Criticism

The Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) recission of a 2012 memorandum of understanding (MOU) with California energy regulators regarding permitting for oil drilling on federal lands is drawing praise from GOP lawmakers but criticism from environmentalists, who argue it will result in approvals of harmful projects. “We write to express our sincere gratitude for rescinding the 2012 [MOU] between the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) and [BLM]. This MOU has historically acted as a significant barrier to oil production...