Federal judge blocks drilling moratorium

CNN\'s Brian Todd brings us the latest.

A federal judge in New Orleans has blocked a moratorium that would stop deep water drilling projects.

U.S. District Judge Martin Feldman in New Orleans overturned the ban Tuesday, saying the government simply assumed that because one rig exploded, the others pose an imminent danger, too.

The White House promised an immediate appeal of his decision.

The Interior Department had imposed the moratorium last month in the wake of the BP disaster, halting approval of any new permits for deepwater projects and suspending drilling on 33 exploratory wells.

CNN’s Brian Todd has been following the story and says the judge’s decision was a complete surprise, but has shocked some.

Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Washington D.C. Ahead Of NATO Summit

    The political battle takes shape: What it could mean for basic governmental operations

    Read more
    Getty Images/iStockphoto/Roman BabakinCommerce Department

    Commerce doubles the money it grants to coastal habitat restoration

    Read more

    Odds of a 2% federal pay raise and other workforce items from Senate spending bills

    Read more