North Dakota sues Bureau of Land Management over new methane ruling

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - North Dakota and three other states filed a lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Thursday regarding a recent methane rule.

North Dakota, Montana, Texas and Wyoming are challenging the BLM’s newly finalized rule on waste prevention, production subject to royalties and resource conversation.

The rule establishes a new royalty on flared gas, institutes monthly limits on allowable flaring and adds new application requirements for operators regarding their ability to capture natural gas before they can obtain a drilling permit.