Western Energy Alliance criticized the Department of the Interior for extending the onshore leasing ban another quarter, as it missed the 45-day deadline to hold a sale in the first quarter of 2022. The missed deadline means continued defiance of a court order requiring the department to hold lease sales in accordance with the Mineral Leasing Act.
“Pres. Biden just told the American people he’ll work like the devil to lower prices at the gas pump. But the lack of progress on federal lease sales means he’s not trying very hard,” said Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Alliance. “The department continues to miss deadlines, drag its feet, and ignore a judge’s ruling to hold sales. The Biden Administration is intent on preventing American producers from developing the energy we have at home to meet our country’s needs and lower gas prices.”
Interior stated in documents filed in two federal court cases onshore lease sales would be held in the first quarter this year. In Western Energy Alliance v. Biden, the agency stated, “Interior presently anticipates publishing updated NEPA [National Environmental Policy Act] analysis by early November, in preparation for lease sales in the first quarter of 2022.” The Alliance filed the suit in January 2021 to challenge the president’s ban on new onshore lease sales.
In Louisiana v. Biden, after a federal judge ruled in June 2021 both onshore and offshore oil and natural gas lease sales must resume, Interior said it would publish notices of competitive sale in December 2021 “followed by holding a lease sale approximately forty-five days after the lease sale notices are posted.” But now seven months after the judge’s order, there’s still no sales notice and no indication that the department has started the months-long process for the second quarter lease sales. The department continues to miss the Mineral Leasing Act’s target of holding at least four quarterly lease sales per state.
The Bureau of Land Management also committed to holding first quarter lease sales in documents published last November, stating, “In addition to this lease sale, the BLM is offering parcels in six other BLM administrative units within the first quarter of 2022.”
“The oil and natural gas on federal public lands belong to the American people and could help the nation lower energy prices. Instead, the president lobbies Russia and OPEC to boost their production while constraining American producers. As a result, gas prices remain high and the president makes empty promises,” added Sgamma.
In addition to betraying promises to the courts, Interior officials are also misleading Congress. Just last week, Interior’s Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary – Land and Mineral Management, Laura Daniel-Davis, testified before the U.S. Senate that “leasing is ongoing, onshore and offshore.”
“It’s flat out incorrect to say public lands leasing is ongoing. The reality is there hasn’t been a single onshore lease sale since the Biden Administration took office and it’s unclear there’s one on the horizon. From the looks of it, the Biden Administration is working like the devil to hinder, not help, American production,” concluded Sgamma.
Everyday your story is being told by someone. Who is telling your story? Who are you telling your story to?
#thecrudelife promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
If anyone would like to schedule an interview, meeting or news tip email studio@thecrudelife.com
Industrial Integrity and Energy Ethics are the new entry level expectations in oil and gas, and The Crude Life continues to create original Local, Boots-On-The-Ground Journalism while showcasing other environmentally conscious companies.
Communication is vital in today’s energy extraction and empowerment.
About The Crude Life
The Crude Life produces original content that focuses on industry, the people, energy innovations, community building and it’s proactive culture. Our custom content is non-polarizing, trusted and often news making.
The Crude Life promotes a culture of inclusion and respect through interviews, content creation, live events and partnerships that educate, enrich, and empower people to create a positive social environment for all, regardless of age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or physical or intellectual ability.
Part of our mission is to enable people, companies and communities to affect change, demonstrate their transformative actions and drive energy awareness through storytelling and access to resources.
Sponsors, Music and Other Show Notes
Studio Sponsor: The Industrial Forest
The Industrial Forest is a network of environmentally minded and socially conscious businesses that are using industrial innovations to build a network of sustainable forests across the United States.
Weekly Sponsor: Black Creek K-9 Pipeline Leak Detection
Disabled Veteran Owned Business in Decatur, TX. Servicing the K-9 industry with pipeline leak detection, detection services, dog training & K-9 consulting. Dwayne Farris served in the United States Marine Corps as a Military Police Officer, assigned to be a Military Working Dog Handler. Upon the honorable completion of active duty, he continued as a reservist for the U.S. Marine Corps Military Police Detachment located in Wahpeton, North Dakota as a squad leader. He was later promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
As a civilian contractor, Dwayne operated for various high-profile U.S.-based security companies deployed to support Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He served as a Combat Canine Tracking Handler, Trainer, Kennel Master, and Program Manager. His most recent experience was as the field-based Supervisory Subject Matter Expert working for TSA as the Regional Canine Coordinator for Region 5 based in Seattle, WA. In that position, he regionally oversaw all National Explosive Detection Canine Training Program assigned canine teams. For the Pacific Northwest area of operations, he served as a Regional Canine Training Instructor for the NEDCTP. Prior to joining the TSA, Dwayne was a Multi-Purpose Canine Trainer at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, for a special operations unit training and deploying K-9 teams in support of world-wide missions.
Weekly Sponsor: Great American Mining Co
Great American Mining monetizes wasted, stranded and undervalued gas throughout the oil and gas industry by using it as a power generation source for bitcoin mining. We bring the market and our expertise to the molecule. Our solutions make producers more efficient and profitable while helping to reduce flaring and venting throughout the oil and gas value chain.
Join Podcasters from across the world and all walks of life as they unite to bring civil solutions to life and liberty.
Studio Email and Inbox Sponsor: To Be Announced
Featured Music: Alma Cook
For guest, band or show topic requests, email studio@thecrudelife.com
Spread the word. Support the industry. Share the energy.
