Residents' Lawsuit Targets Illinois Fracking Rules
From the Associated Press
A group of Illinois landowners has sued the Department of Natural Resources in a bid to stop the state's new rules for high-volume oil and gas drilling from taking effect, saying the agency violated several rulemaking procedures as it worked to implement a state law to regulate the practice.
The lawsuit filed Monday in Madison County Circuit Court seeks a preliminary injunction, and also names Illinois DNR Director Marc Miller, Gov. Pat Quinn and Secretary of State Jesse White. A hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday, several days after the deadline for the rules to be submitted to White's office for publication.
Among the allegations is that the DNR didn't consider scientific studies in its first rules notice, denying the public a chance to address the specific information the agency relied upon to draft the rules. It also claims there was no agency representative available to answer residents' questions at public hearings, and that some were denied admission to or a chance to speak at the meetings.
"We want a declaration from the court that the DNR failed to follow procedural requirements under law," said Natalie Laczek, one of three attorneys representing the residents. "If IDNR cannot follow requirements in rulemaking, how is it going to be able to regulate permits in the state?"
The DNR issued a statement Wednesday saying the agency "acted in an open and transparent manner throughout the rule making process that resulted in historic levels of participation," and that it responded "thoughtfully" to issues raised by the public.
Read more in our daily News Update...
From the Associated Press
A group of Illinois landowners has sued the Department of Natural Resources in a bid to stop the state's new rules for high-volume oil and gas drilling from taking effect, saying the agency violated several rulemaking procedures as it worked to implement a state law to regulate the practice.
The lawsuit filed Monday in Madison County Circuit Court seeks a preliminary injunction, and also names Illinois DNR Director Marc Miller, Gov. Pat Quinn and Secretary of State Jesse White. A hearing is scheduled for next Tuesday, several days after the deadline for the rules to be submitted to White's office for publication.
Among the allegations is that the DNR didn't consider scientific studies in its first rules notice, denying the public a chance to address the specific information the agency relied upon to draft the rules. It also claims there was no agency representative available to answer residents' questions at public hearings, and that some were denied admission to or a chance to speak at the meetings.
"We want a declaration from the court that the DNR failed to follow procedural requirements under law," said Natalie Laczek, one of three attorneys representing the residents. "If IDNR cannot follow requirements in rulemaking, how is it going to be able to regulate permits in the state?"
The DNR issued a statement Wednesday saying the agency "acted in an open and transparent manner throughout the rule making process that resulted in historic levels of participation," and that it responded "thoughtfully" to issues raised by the public.
Read more in our daily News Update...