DENVER—The Interior Department today announced details of its upcoming review of the oil and gas leasing program on national public lands and offshore waters. The department will hold a public forum later this month and open a comment portal for the public to weigh in during the review.
The Center for Western Priorities released the following statement from Executive Director Jennifer Rokala:
“We applaud the Biden administration for moving quickly to review the oil and gas leasing program. For too long, oil and gas companies have ripped off taxpayers while contributing to the climate crisis. This review sets the stage for a transition to a renewable energy economy, while ensuring communities and workers that are dependent on the boom-and-bust cycles of oil drilling are at the forefront of the solution.
“It’s vital that the administration take a holistic look at both the onshore and offshore leasing programs to ensure taxpayers get a fair share from publicly owned resources and America fully accounts for the climate costs of oil and gas production on public lands and waters.”