The Trump administration and allies in Congress are fundamentally rewriting how federal lands are leased for fossil fuel extraction, and U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman is celebrating the shifts as a win for Wyoming.

Others, however, worry about vanishing opportunities for public input and the chiseling away of environmental protections.

Recent critics include the Powder River Basin Resource Council, Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship and more than 100 conservation groups that signed a letter Nov. 19 predicting "more mistakes, conflict and harmful development."

The changes are coming fast with a recently passed joint resolution, new permitting legislation and revised bonding rules that critics believe will stick taxpayers with the bill for cleaning up oil and gas well sites.

A year ag

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