Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA) introduced comprehensive energy reform legislation that would, among other things, eliminate the wasteful and unnecessary noncompetitive leasing program. The Restoring Community Input and Public Protection in Oil and Gas Leasing Act would provide overdue updates to the Mineral Leasing Act. In response, Kate Kelly, director of Public Lands at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:
The federal oil and gas leasing program has historically and systematically prioritized the fossil fuel industry above all else. It’s past time to balance the scales to ensure that Americans have a meaningful say in how our public lands and waters are managed to benefit current and future generations. Rep. Levin and his colleagues are taking an important step to address the endemic problems with the Bureau of Land Management’s oil and gas program, including eliminating the wasteful noncompetitive leasing program that shortchanges taxpayers and provides an avenue for companies to game the system.
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For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected] or 202-478-6327.