Wyoming Oil and Gas Commission Votes to Initiate Rule Making Process for Baseline Water Testing; Groups Respond

July 16, 2013
Jon Goldstein, 505-603-8522, jgoldstein@edf.org
Chris Merrill, 307-223-0071, chris@wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org
Lauren Whittenberg, 512-691-3437, lwhittenberg@edf.org
Amber Wilson, 307-389-9499; amber@wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org

“We would like to thank the commission for giving careful consideration to these issues and moving forward into a formal rulemaking process,” said Jon Goldstein, EDF Senior Energy Policy Manager. “On the whole, this rule establishes a solid, scientifically-valid framework for groundwater quality testing.”

“We would like to thank Governor Mead for his leadership on this issue,” said Amber Wilson, Environmental Quality Coordinator with WOC. “As he noted today at the commission, this rule establishes a foundation that can be added to over time. This rule will go a long way toward providing the public with important information about the quality of the water resources we all share.”

“We will continue to be involved as this rule moves forward, especially on the newly introduced concept of “master plans,” said Goldstein. “We need to ensure these plans don’t undermine the fundamental goal of creating a scientifically sound program that protects the critical groundwater resources of Wyoming.”

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Environmental Defense Fund (edf.org), a leading national nonprofit organization, creates transformational solutions to the most serious environmental problems. EDF links science, economics, law, and innovative private-sector partnerships. See twitter.com/EDFEnergyEX; facebook.com/EnvDefenseFund; and http://blogs.edf.org/texasenergyexchange/.

The Wyoming Outdoor Council (wyomingoutdoorcouncil.org) is Wyoming’s oldest independent conservation organization. The Wyoming Outdoor Council’s mission is to protect Wyoming’s environment and quality of life for future generations.