DENVER (April 12, 2024)—The Bureau of Land Management’s finalized rule to reform oil and gas leasing is good news for wildlife, public lands, and taxpayers. The rule will ensure oil and gas companies pay to cleanup and reclaim sites after production by paying fairer bonding rates. The rule also codifies congressional reforms that ended the practice of noncompetitive leasing and raised the rates companies are charged for leasing public lands.

“This is a win for wildlife and people alike. Increased bonding rates ensure that industry — and not taxpayers — pay for the cleanup of the toxic messes left behind after drilling. The rule also prioritizes oil and gas leasing in areas with high potential for development while ending the practice of noncompetitive leasing that previously allowed drilling on public lands for as little as $1.50 an acre,” said Bailey Brennan, public lands attorney for the National Wildlife Federation. “These long overdue reforms will encourage better stewardship of our public lands so they can continue to offer vital habitat for wildlife, plentiful opportunities for recreation, and a boost for rural economies.” 

"For too long, critical public lands have been mismanaged and prioritized for the benefit of oil and gas corporations, and our communities have been left behind. The oil and gas rulemaking is a win for our public lands,” said Camilla Simon, executive director of Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting and the Outdoors (HECHO). “These common-sense reforms updated fiscal terms of the onshore federal oil and gas leasing program - including bonding requirements, royalty rates, and minimum bids – which increase returns to the public and disincentive speculators or less responsible actors." 

“The Biden administration’s oil and gas rule prioritizes balanced management of our public lands, which benefits the rural communities, wildlife habitat, and ecosystems that depend on them. It’s only fair that companies clean up after themselves when they drill on our public lands, and the oil and gas rule holds them accountable for doing just that,” said Suzanne O’Neill, executive director of the Colorado Wildlife Federation. “We are thankful that our leaders heard the voices of thousands of Coloradans and took action to maintain our pristine public lands, waters, and air.”