Washington Free Beacon

Ken Salazar

Photos Debunk Key Anti-Fracking Claim

Water wells supposedly contaminated by fracking were flammable years before gas drilling


Newly released photos of a flaming water well have renewed skepticism of claims by environmental activists and federal regulators that hydraulic fracturing made drinking water supplies in Parker County, Texas, flammable.

Help Wanted

Oyster company appeals eviction from federal land


The Drakes Bay Oyster Company is appealing a judge’s decision to deny injunctive relief against the secretary of the interior’s decision not to renew the business’ permit to use federal land, Cause of Action announced Wednesday.

Hoping for Relief

Embattled oyster company heads to court hoping for stay on government’s decision to kill it


The Drakes Bay Oyster Company heads to court on Friday seeking a preliminary injunction against the secretary of the interior’s decision to terminate the company’s permit to operate on federal land.

An Unjust Oyster Ouster

Gov’t refuses to renew permits for oyster company, prompting lawsuit


A California oyster company is suing the Department of the Interior for failing to extend its permit for using federal lands, arguing that the government violated the law and its constitutional rights.

Obama Exploits Office to Gain Votes

Even the New York Times smells something fishy


An article published in the New York Times Wednesday outlines how President Obama is using the advantages of his office to aid his reelection campaign, coordinating campaign pitches and policy announcements to woo key voter blocs.

Don’t Drill, Baby, Don’t

Oil and gas industry slams Obama administration’s offshore drilling plan


The Obama administration’s recently released five-year plan for offshore drilling leases has been met with sharp criticism from the oil and gas industry and Republicans, who say it continues a crippling moratorium on potential energy reserves on the West and East Coasts.

Fast-Tracked Cronyism

GOP accelerates probe of Interior leases to green energy loan recipients


GOP investigators have stepped up their probe into possible political favoritism by the Department of the Interior (DOI) toward several solar companies that received fast-tracked leases on federal lands, as well as billions of dollars in federal loan guarantees.

Coming Up Empty

Obama deserves little credit for expanded energy production


The Obama administration is taking an undeserved victory lap for increased U.S. production of oil, Republicans and proponents of expanded oil production say. The administration’s latest attempt to claim it is expanding oil production came from the Department of Interior. The agency recently announced a new program to streamline and automate permit applications for oil and gas drilling.

Muddying the Waters

Contractors claim regulator tampered with job loss estimates


Congress is investigating whether the nation’s top coal regulator attempted to tamper with estimates of potential job loss from a proposed regulation.