Discussion period on gas rule extended

WASHINGTON — The federal government this week opted to extend the comment and discussion period on a new regulation that several Republican members of the Louisiana congressional delegation said could hurt domestic natural gas production.

U.S. Rep. Jeff Landry, R-New Iberia, helped lead a group of 63 congressional members who argued against a new rule eliminating an exemption for truckers who serve oil field operations.

Reps. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette, Steve Scalise, R-Jefferson, and John Fleming, R-Minden, also signed the letter asking to rescind added restrictions to oil field operations and the commercial motor vehicles serving them.

The Aug. 1 letter was sent to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

“Such a change significantly restricts the operations of individuals and businesses engaged in hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’ operations, thereby increasing their costs and restricting their ability to provide good-paying jobs to American citizens and low-cost energy to U.S. consumers,” the letter states.

The comments period for the new rule was supposed to have ended after Monday but the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said it would be continued until Oct. 5 to allow for additional input and consideration.