Oil and Gas

Oil and gas development has major impacts on public health, local budgets, and the natural resources that support livelihoods and quality of life. We help local, tribal, and state officials ensure they have a voice in leasing and development decisions that impact their communities and public lands.

BLM Oil and Gas rule

The Interior Department has announced a proposal to overhaul the 2024 Bureau of Land Management Oil and Gas Rule and make major changes to the federal onshore oil and gas program. This proposal would significantly weaken bonding requirements for well cleanup, limit public participation, repeal landowner notification requirements, and eliminate criteria that steers leasing away from sensitive wildlife habitat and cultural sites.

Federal Lease Sales

The passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act in July 2025 dramatically changed the federal oil and gas leasing landscape. HR 1 lowered fees and royalties; reinstated cheap, non-competitive leasing; and mandated quarterly lease sales across nine Western states, shortchanging taxpayers and putting sensitive natural resources at risk. Since then, hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands have been put up for sale, often with little energy potential or industry interest.

Decoupling

Fossil fuel drilling on public lands props up many county and state budgets, but boom-and-bust cycles leave them financially vulnerable when revenues collapse. When things go bust, many local governments struggle to fund roads, schools, and basic public services. “Decoupling” policy solutions invest drilling profits into a permanent federal fund, helping support communities as they transition to a more stable, diversified economy rather than staying dependent on volatile energy markets.