Comment Period Open for Oil and Gas Permitting

The U.S. Forest Service is asking for input on regulations affecting oil and gas resouces and the permitting process. The agency announced last month that it was revising some outdated regulations and the public comment period ends Oct. 15. The plan would speed up the permitting process for oil and gas development in the 44 national forests where drilling is allowed, and West Virginia’s Monongahela National Forest is one of them. Supporters are looking for ways to clear the backlog of requests for oil and gas leases. Those against the revisions worry about the environmental effects.