Federal judge granted injunction against government moratorium on oil drilling . Eric Smith says government did n't properly check environmental records , economic impact . He said judge noted that expert panel was n't working on moratorium . If the contracts are abrogated by federal fiat , the operators , in many cases , will have no choice but to take their business elsewhere . Smith : Moratorium would effectively stop drilling for five years , not just six months .
Federal judge granted injunction against government moratorium on oil drilling . Eric Smith says government did n't properly check environmental records , economic impact . He said judge noted that expert panel was n't working on moratorium . Smith : Moratorium would effectively stop drilling for five years , not just six months .