Oil Barons Sue The US Government Over A Beetle Species

Insects are a pesky nuisance in many people’s lives. Some of the most hated insects are obviously the ones that bite and spread diseases. Insects like gnats, mosquitoes, termites and cockroaches are among the most hated of all insect species. There is also another insect species that is becoming quite a nuisance to oil and natural gas executives. Last year three different oil and natural gas groups sued the United States Fish and Wildlife Service over the American burying beetle. This beetle has been a problem for oil and natural gas companies for decades, and it is not because these insects bite or spread disease; instead this beetle’s protection under the Endangered Species Act has long conflicted with the business interests of oil and natural gas tycoons.

During September of 2017 three different groups associated with oil and natural gas companies sued the US Fish and Wildlife Service for refusing to respond to a petition to have the American burying beetle removed from the endangered species list. The three groups suing the governmental agency include the Independent Petroleum Association of America, American Stewards of Liberty and Osage Producers. These three groups claim that the American burying beetle fails to meet the requirements necessary to become an official “endangered species”.

Ever since 1989, when the American burying beetle became classified as endangered, oil and natural gas companies have been forced to halt plans to construct pipelines, and other construction projects. Oil and gas companies have not been able to generate the desired amount of revenue due to the many regulations concerning this native beetle species. Back in 2012 the US Government stopped requiring oil and gas industries from baiting and trapping American burying beetles. However, this was not enough for oil and gas industries as many other related regulations still stand in their way. If the US Fish and Wildlife Service receives a petition to have a species removed from the endangered species list they must respond to the petition within one year. The three oil and gas groups have alleged that the government agency failed to respond to the petition to have the American burying beetle removed from the endangered species list.

Do you think that the American burying beetle will soon be kicked-off of the endangered species list?