AAPG Home > GEO-DC > Action Alerts > BLM Oil Shale Leasing

Deadline:

The BLM is accepting comments until September 22, 2008.

Background:

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 instructed the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to implement oil shale development on public lands along three tracks:

  1. Issuing research, development, and demonstration leases
  2. Developing a programmatic environmental impact statement
  3. Promulgating commercial leasing regulations

Related to the third track activity, BLM is issuing a proposed rule for commercial oil shale leasing on public lands, specifically in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. The rule will also cover tar sands development.

The rule sets out the policies and procedures for conducting, managing, and regulating a commercial program, including such things as acreage size, royalty rates, and diligent development requirements.

BLM requests comment on this proposed rule, and AAPG encourages interested members to offer their insights and opinions.

More information:

The proposed rule is available online (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-16275.pdf), as is additional information about the BLM Oil Shale and Tars Sands program (http://www.blm.gov/wo/st/en/prog/energy/oilshale_2.html).

How to comment:

Quick response –
To tell the BLM you support oil shale development then visit the Consumer Energy Alliance (http://www.consumerenergyalliance.org/issue_alert.asp?g=cea&issue=Oil_Shale_Regs_August_2008&parent=CEA) . They have an automated system that will generate a form letter from you to the BLM, indicating the importance of moving ahead with this program.
Detailed response –
For those who would like to review the request for comment and make specific recommendations to the government, you can post your comments online at the BLM website (http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocumentDetail&o=090000648068f484) either by typing them into the comment space or uploading a file.

You may also submit a public comment in writing. For instructions please refer to page 2 of the proposed rule (http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2008/pdf/E8-16275.pdf) .