Committee on Natural Resources Vice Chairman Cynthia Lummis (WY-At large) today questioned BLM Director Neil Kornze on how the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between BLM and the states will operate.

“Who will approve well bore integrity issues? Will you approve those? Who will do the inspections? Will [states] be brought in? Who is going to be brought in to inspect that – [states] or you?” Rep. Lummis asked. 

”Because the Bureau of Land Management manages such a scattered land pattern across the country, it’s very important to work efficiently with state regulators,” Kornze responded. “We can more or less cross-deputize state inspectors to do that work.”


Rep. Ryan Zinke (MT-At large) focused on the available science and expertise in the BLM: “There seems to be a greater amount of expertise in the states. I am concerned about the science of what we’re doing and who is in the best position to make sure that what we’re doing is right…Who within the BLM staff has relevant, current experience in fracking?” 

Zinke continued, “If you don’t have the modern expertise, are you asking for more people to do it? And why are we asking then for more people to do it when the states probably have the better expertise? Are we making a solution to a problem that isn’t there?”