On Wednesday, the federal government leased over 33,000 acres of public land in New Mexico and Texas for oil and gas development. The lease sale brought in over $4 billion, but according to a report from Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS), taxpayers stand to lose.
The leases were issued at the recently reduced federal royalty rate of 12.5 percent. According to TCS, these relatively low royalty rates will result in an estimated $189 million in lost royalty revenue over the life of the leases.
This lost revenue is due to President Donald Trump’s efforts to make oil and gas drilling cheaper for industry. In 2022, Congress changed the royalty rate from 12.5 percent to 16.7 percent, which was the first rate adjustment in over 100 years. But Congress changed it back in 2025 as part of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Wednesday’s sale adds to the more than $1 billion in projected royalty revenue that taxpayers have already lost since the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Quick hits
Pitkin County gives feedback on replacing Snowmass Trailhead in Colorado’s Maroon Bells
Western states form new bipartisan geothermal consortium
Opinion: Doug Burgum’s very bad day
Greater Chaco Cultural Landscape named one of country’s ‘most endangered’ historic places
Report: Taxpayers lose $189 million on oil and gas leases in New Mexico
Opinion: Are Montana leaders listening to the calls for public lands protections?
Colorado’s lakes, reservoirs won’t have enough water for most kinds of boating this summer
BLM just pummeled conservation in Montana and the West. Experts say wildlife stands to lose
Quote of the day
Burgum had a bad day. His reign as Interior secretary could lead to a bad forever for public lands and wildlife.”
—Mike McFeely, columnist for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, InForum
Picture This
As bears begin searching for food after months of winter inactivity, human-bear encounters tend to increase. Many of these encounters can be prevented by taking a few simple precautions:
• Give bears plenty of space and never approach them.
• Store food, garbage, pet food, grills, and other attractants securely.
• Keep campsites and outdoor areas clean.
• Make noise while hiking to avoid surprising a bear.
• Carry bear spray and know how to use it properly.
• Never run from a bear.
Learn more ways to stay safe and be bear aware at our link in bio.
(Featured image: Oil and gas infrastructure in the western Permian Basin of New Mexico. Bruce Gordon, SkyTruth / EcoFlight, Flickr)