WASHINGTON D.C. — Wyoming Congresswoman and House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney (R-WY) introduced two bills Thursday morning that would prohibit any moratorium on federal oil and gas leasing or permitting or coal leasing unless a joint resolution of approval is enacted by Congress.
The bills are The Safeguarding Oil and Gas Leasing and Permitting Act and The Safeguarding Coal Leasing Act.
On January 20, the United State Department of Interior issued an order that for 60 days suspends approval of new oil and gas leases, along with key agency, regulatory and development actions.
President Joe Biden then announced Wednesday a moratorium on new oil and gas leasing on public lands. The executive order directs the Secretary of the Interior to pause on entering into new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or offshore waters to the extent possible, launch a rigorous review of all existing leasing and permitting practices related to fossil fuel development on public lands and waters, and identify steps that can be taken to double renewable energy production from offshore wind by 2030, according to the White House.
“The executive actions from the Biden Administration banning new leasing and permitting on federal land endanger our economy and threaten our national security. The legislation I am introducing today would safeguard against these damaging orders, and prevent the job loss, higher energy costs, and loss of revenue that promises to come with them,” Cheney said.
These bills will defend the interests of the people of Wyoming and our nation, and I will work with partners in Washington to push for their consideration.
– Wyoming Congresswoman Liz Cheney
Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon spoke in support of Cheney’s bills, saying that traditional Wyoming energy industries are “being targeted by climate-only activists.”
“I commend Congresswoman Cheney for her continued leadership to protect the people of Wyoming. The introduction of the Safeguarding Oil and Gas Leasing and Permitting Act, along with similar legislation for coal, underscores her support of Wyoming.
The leasing moratorium announced by the Biden administration today shows that traditional Wyoming energy industries are being targeted by climate-only activists.
– Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon
“By sponsoring these bills, Cheney shows that Congress needs to participate in these brash, unilateral DC-based actions,” he said.
Gordon said Alaska, California, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming could lose $8 billion in GDP and over $2 billion in tax revenue per year as a result of these executive actions.
The Safeguarding Oil and Gas Leasing and Permitting Act has the following co-sponsors: Rep. Mike Kelly (PA-16), Rep. Scott Perry (PA-10), Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Rep. Glenn Thompson (PA-15), Rep. Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Rep. David McKinley (WV-01), Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Rep. Ken Buck (CO-04), Rep. Michael Burgess (TX-26), Rep. Ronny Jackson (TX-13), Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05), Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01) , Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Rep. Ron Wright (TX-06), Rep. Dan Meuser (PA-09), Rep. Alex Mooney (WV-02), Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12), Rep. John Joyce (PA-13), Rep. Ron Estes (KS-04), Rep. Pat Fallon (TX-04), and Rep. Pete Stauber (MN-08).
The Safeguarding Coal Leasing and Permitting Act has the following co-sponsors: Rep. Mike Kelly (PA-16), Rep. Scott Perry (PA-10), Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Rep. Glenn Thompson (PA-15), Rep. Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Rep. David McKinley (WV-01), Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Rep. Dan Meuser (PA-09), Rep. Alex Mooney (WV-02), Rep. Rick Allen (GA-12), Rep. John Joyce (PA-13), Rep. Ron Estes (KS-04), and Rep. Pat Fallon (TX-04).
In the U.S. Senate, Wyoming Senators Cynthia Lummis and John Barrasso are among 25 United States Senators introducing a bill that would prohibit President Biden from blocking energy and mineral leasing and permitting without Congressional approval.
