U.S. District Court Judge Lynn Winmill says Idaho broke the law when it forced several people in Payette County to sell their natural gas and oil to a Texas company. The ruling, which came down earlier this week, dealt a blow to the Idaho Oil and Gas Commission and the State Department of Lands.
Winmill ruled on the side of Citizens Allied for Integrity and Accountability, a watchdog group that’s focused its efforts on Alta Mesa. The Houston-based company is the only one in Idaho producing oil and gas. The ruling instructs the state to cancel the lease contracts and hold a new hearing with landowners.
According to the Associated Press, the state is evaluating its options.
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