Lawsuit forced EPA to issue fracking rules

Last week, President Barack Obama created a federal working group to coordinate efforts to regulate the oil and gas industry, including hydraulic fracturing.

Just a few days later, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released new rules to limit air pollution from fracking.

The agency said the move was forced by a court-ordered deadline.

Two environmental groups sued the EPA in 2009 for allegedly failing to review major source air toxics standards for the oil and natural gas industry.

A U.S. district judge in the District of Columbia issued a consent order in the case in February 2010, requiring the EPA to finalize new rules by April 17.

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