NEW FEDERAL POLICIES ON OIL AND GAS LEASING COULD HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON WYOMING'S ENERGY INDUSTRY. THE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM INTERIOR SECRETARY KEN SALAZAR CALLS FOR MORE ENVIRONMENTAL RESTRICTIONS FOR WELLS DRILLED ON BLM LAND. SALAZAR SAYS HE WANTS TO PROVIDE A BALANCE BETWEEN INDUSTRY AND ENVIRONMENTAL INTERESTS. GOVERNOR DAVE FREUDENTHAL SAYS HE IS NOT SURE WHETHER THE NEW PLAN WILL HELP OR HURT THE STATE. ANY CHANGES IN POLICY WILL TAKE ABOUT A MONTH TO IMPLEMENT, AND THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
