Shale oil cutback?

The Obama administration announced a proposal to reduce production of shale oil in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming, a project originally backed by former President George W. Bush.

The Feb. 3 announcement came just days after House Republicans advanced a bill that would turn Bush’s development plan into law, according to Environment and Energy Daily. The Bureau of Land Management‘s proposal would reduce the area of land available for shale-oil research and development by 75 percent and limit lease holders to research until the industry proves commercial development to be “technically viable and environmentally safe.” Bush’s 2008 plan allowed for the development of 2 million acres in the three states, while Obama plans to restrict commercial activity to 461,965 acres.

“Once again, the Obama administration caved in to their liberal environmentalist allies and said no to creating jobs and lowering energy costs for Utahns,” said Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).