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National Newsroom

• Barrasso Op-Ed: Three Questions on Benghazi Attack
• Barrasso WSJ Op-Ed: Harry Reid's Filibuster Coup Attempt
• Washington Post: Does a lower unemployment rate mean a better labor market?
• The Weekly Standard - Senator: 'Increasingly Clear [Obama's] Comfortable Going Off the Cliff'

Press Office

Senate Western Caucus

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Barrasso Fights Washington Oil and Gas Regulations

“More red tape equals fewer red, white and blue jobs.”

January 28, 2010

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Senate Western Caucus Chairman John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and 21 other Members of Congress sent a letter to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar in opposition to the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) new oil and gas leasing regulations.  He delivered the following statement regarding the letter:

“It’s simple.  More red tape equals fewer red, white and blue jobs. Our letter is one more step in our fight against Washington’s endless effort to increase the bureaucratic burden on American workers and employers.  We will continue to call on the Administration to drop these regulations and actually make it easier to create new jobs across our nation.” 

Highlights from the Letter:

“We are deeply concerned that these misguided policy changes will have a negative impact on job growth and economic recovery in our States and across the West.  This is unacceptable at a time when American families are facing ten percent unemployment and rising energy costs.  Instead of putting up road blocks to American energy development, we urge you to rethink your proposal with a goal of increasing American energy production, creating jobs and fostering economic development.”

***

“Western states are struggling with budgetary shortfalls in a down economy.  The new leasing regulations will only add to this pain.  We have already seen a dramatic reduction in the number of oil and gas leases during the first term of this Administration.  In 2008, BLM issued 2,778 oil and gas leases, covering a total of 4,469,337 acres, and received $445,868,338 in bonus bids.  Meanwhile, in 2009, BLM issued only 1,273 oil and gas leases, covering a total of 1,097,967 acres, and received $129,289,399 in bonus bids. The state share from oil and gas revenues for the states of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming alone decreased by over $120 million in the last year.”

***

“The oil and gas industry is one of the nation's largest employers, supporting over 9 million jobs and generating 7.2% of U.S. gross domestic product.  Given that the unemployment rate is at its highest level in 26 years, we would hope that the Department of Interior would do everything in its power to save existing jobs and create new ones.  Last week’s decision will not help in this regard.  Indeed, thousands of jobs in Western states could be jeopardized by the Administration’s efforts to impose additional layers of federal bureaucracy on American oil and gas development.”

***

“Western states have been leaders in responsible energy development for decades.  When it comes to meeting America’s energy needs, we need it all.  This principle should also apply to creating jobs and getting our economy back on track.  Unfortunately, the Department’s oil and gas leasing reforms will further limit energy production on federal lands, discourage job creation, and encourage litigation.  We respectfully request you reconsider these leasing reforms.”