This week, Texas Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX-11) introduced a bill that would protect the oil and gas industry from potential limits to drilling on federal lands. H.R. 218 would prohibit the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture from issuing moratoriums on issuing new oil and gas leases and drill permits on certain federal lands.
This legislation, if passed, would serve as a check on the incoming Biden Administration’s ability to limit, or entirely prohibit, new leasing on federal lands. While the bill is unlikely to pass or be signed by President Biden, gaining cosponsors and support for the bill is important to show strong opposition to administration plans.
President-elect Biden has pledged to ban “new oil and gas permitting on public lands and waters” as part of his “clean energy revolution and environmental justice” plan.
The legislation is cosponsored by several lawmakers including Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX-23), Stephanie Bice (R-OK-05), Ronny Jackson (R-TX-13), Yvette Herrell (R-NM-2), Brian Babin (R-TX-36), Chip Roy (R-TX-21), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-2), Pat Fallon (R-TX-4) and Jodey Arrington (R-TX-19).
PESA will meet with the bill’s author and original cosponsors in the coming days to show our support and coordinate efforts.
If you have questions or would like to be engaged on the issue, please reach out to Vice President Government Affairs Tim Tarpley.
