In Idaho, a Senate committee has voted 8-1 in favor of an industry-backed bill speeding up natural gas and oil production in the state. The bill approved by the Senate Resources and Environment Committee would change the state’s decision making process and set deadlines. Under the measure, the Idaho Department of Lands would be responsible for initial decisions and the five appointed members of the Idaho Oil and Gas Conservation Commission more of an appellate body that reviews those decisions.
Supporters of the bill say it would set deadlines that would cut the time from 400 days to nearly 100 days for oil and gas applications involving appeals.
