Lawsuit challenges Montana oil, gas leases

A lawsuit is challenging 287 oil and gas leases on federal land in Montana, claiming the federal government failed to evaluate the effects on water and climate. "This case challenges the United States Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM’s) decisions to sell oil and gas leases on public lands in Montana while turning a blind eye to the groundwater contamination and climate pollution that will result from them," says the lawsuit. It was filed in federal district court in Great Falls by WildEarth Guardians, the Montana Environmental Information Center (MEIC) and three landowners. "It's a pretty groundbreaking case in the fact it's challenging these water issues, and it's moving to protect some pretty iconic areas," said Becca Fischer, a climate guardian with WildEarth Guardians fighting oil and gas. The lawsuit argues that the BLM is not requiring deep enough well casings to protect water, Fischer said...MORE