House Democratic Committee's Staff Circulates Draft That Would 'Significantly' Revamp Aspects of DOI's Federal Oil and Gas Leasing; Industry Thinks Draft Is 'Bad News'

摘要

A discussion draft bill prepared by the Democratic staff of the House of Representatives Committee on Natural Resources is circulating through Congress, but the energy industry is warning that it is "bad news" for consumers, saying it will drive up energy costs and decrease industry investments in production. The proposed Federal Lands and Resources Energy Development Act of 2009 would "make several significant changes to current law" in order to streamline the federal oil and gas royalty program and the development of energy resources - including renewable energy - on federal lands and offshore in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). At the heart of the proposal are measures designed to strengthen the government's ability through the Department of Interior (DOI) to collect royalties and to leave behind previous scandals.