Feds seek pause on North Dakota methane rule lawsuit amid Trump review

February 18, 2025

The federal government has requested a pause in the lawsuit challenging the Bureau of Land Management’s 2024 methane waste rule, following President Trump’s executive order aimed at boosting energy production. The rule, which aims to reduce methane leaks and flaring, has been blocked by a preliminary injunction from a North Dakota federal judge. North Dakota, Montana, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming argue that the rule oversteps federal authority and could harm state revenues, while the Interior Department maintains the rule modernizes outdated regulations. In addition, Trump’s Secretary of the Interior, Doug Burgum, issued an order to rescind the rule. The case is currently on hold as the court decides whether to pause the lawsuit.

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