Governor continues opposition to Wyoming Range Development
Plains Exploration to further evaluate their project's environmental impacts
by Governor Freudenthal’s office
June 18, 2007
(Cheyenne). – Gov. Dave Freudenthal remains concerned about a controversial drilling project in the Wyoming Range.
Despite a recent decision by a company to pull back from its plans to drill exploratory wells in the upper Hoback area of Sublette County, today Freudenthal reiterated his opposition to drilling in the range.
In a letter to the U.S. Forest Service on June 11, the Plains Exploration and Production Company asked that the agency not finalize a pending draft Environmental Impact Statement on the company’s exploratory “wildcat” operation slated for a sensitive area in northern Sublette County.
A significant number of public comments on the wildcat proposal criticized the location and ultimate scope of development. Freudenthal also expressed his concerns to Plains representatives in a meeting earlier this month.
In response to public reaction, the company now plans to conduct a more expansive evaluation of the broader project’s environmental impacts under the National Environmental Protection Act.
Freudenthal released the following statement on the company’s announcement:
“While I’m pleased that the company has responded to public comments expressing concern about drilling in this area, at this point, I’m not sure what Plains Exploration’s next steps will be. I remain opposed to their efforts to develop in the Wyoming Range.”
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