Western companies sue US over delayed lease awards

摘要

Washington-Several Western US oil and gas exploration companies have sued the federal government, claiming federal authorities are illegally withholding leases won at auction while protests are pending. The lawsuit, filed in US District Court in Wyoming on October 15, claims the Bureau of Land Management, a division of the US Department of the Interior, is required by law to issue leases to the highest bidder no later than 60 days after receiving payment from the winning companies.