Five Republican US senators introduced legislation aimed at reforming federal onshore oil and gas policies by giving states authority to manage permitting and regulatory responsibilities on federal land within their borders.
“Punishing regulations and permitting delays have plagued the federal oil and gas permitting process for years,” said John A. Barrasso (Wyo.), the bill’s main sponsor. “Our bill also eliminates unnecessary regulations and increases mineral revenue for states.”
Cosponsors include Sens. John Hoeven (ND), Orrin G. Hatch (Utah), Mike Enzi (Wyo.), and Mike Lee (Utah). Their bill also would exempt oil and gas operations on nonfederal land from federal permitting and environmental review if the federal government holds less than a 50% mineral ownership interest. It also would give states and Indian tribes primacy over regulations, guidance, and permitting for hydraulic fracturing.
The measure, which they call the Opportunities for the Nation and States to Harness Onshore Resources for Energy (ONSHORE) Act, contains onshore provisions similar to those in H.R. 4239, which Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) and three cosponsors introduced on Nov. 3, 2017, and the House Natural Resources Committee approved 5 days later (OGJ Online, Nov. 8, 2017).
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