Urgent oil and gas reforms gain momentum in U.S. House

WASHINGTON, June 12, 2019 ---- Today, Rep. Mike Levin introduced the Restoring Community Input and Public Protections in Oil and Gas Leasing Act, H.R. 3225, which would fix a broken oil and gas leasing system to better provide transparency for stakeholders, reduce impacts on the climate crisis and protect American taxpayers, our public lands, waters and wildlife.

Drew McConville, senior managing director at The Wilderness Society said;

“Our hopelessly outdated oil and gas laws were crafted at the outset of the industrial revolution with little regard for taxpayer fairness or environmental stewardship. These commonsense changes are sorely needed to improve transparency for the public, protect our communities, and keep up with 21st century science. We commend Reps. Levin for taking this monumental first step and urge Congress to enact these reforms.”

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Oil and gas development on public lands is currently managed in heavy favor of the industry. Other uses of public lands such as conservation, recreation and even renewable energy development are being shortchanged as a result. From stockpiled leases to an anonymous bidding system, there are many problems with how we manage oil and gas development on public lands.

After spearheading the Trump administration’s anti-conservation agenda at the Interior Department for nearly two years, Bernhardt has established a shameful record of assaults on the nation’s public lands, while having his conflicts of interest and ethical practices called into question.

CONTACT:

• Tony Iallonardo, tony_iallonardo@tws.org, 202-429-2699

The Wilderness Society, founded in 1935, is the leading conservation organization working to protect wilderness and inspire Americans to care for our wild places. With more than one million members and supporters, The Wilderness Society has led the effort to permanently protect 109 million acres of wilderness and to ensure sound management of our shared national lands. www.wilderness.org