An appeals court said it won't reconsider a ruling dismissing lawsuits that were filed against the federal government for rescinding oil and gas leases near national parks in Utah.
A three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit court of Appeals ruled in September that energy companies missed a 90-day deadline to sue. Two companies sought a review by the full appeals court. The court said Thursday the requests were denied.
The lawsuits stemmed from Interior Secretary Ken Salazar’s decision after President Barack Obama took office to rescind 77 oil and gas leases sold during the previous administration near Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park and Dinosaur National Monument. Salazar said they were sold without proper environmental analysis.
The companies had sued to try to regain the leases.
Eric is from Las Vegas, Nevada and studies broadcast journalism at Utah State. In joining the Utah Public Radio family, he has now delved into each of the "Big Three" of journalism: print, television and radio. His dream is to someday live and report the news in Chicago, Illinois (or wherever his career takes him.) In addition to reporting for UPR, Eric is the copy editor at the Utah Statesman and contributes to Aggie TV News.