Washington, D.C. (September 30, 2015) - Today a U.S. District Judge in the District Court of Wyoming upheld a preliminary injunction against the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) rule governing hydraulic fracturing on federal and tribal lands, finalized in March of this year. The judge found that the rule exceeded the BLM's statutory authority.

Western Caucus Chairman Cynthia Lummis (WY-at large) issued the following statement in response:

"This ruling is a victory for states' rights and demonstrates that despite the claims of the Obama Administration, the rule will inflict harm on the states who are already regulating hydraulic fracturing within their borders," said Chairman Lummis. "We already knew the rule wasn't necessary, with states having shown through decades of practice their nimbleness and effectiveness in regulating oil and gas drilling. Today's ruling is also a much needed rebuke of an Administration that continually seeks to exceed the authority granted it by our laws and Constitution."