By the OGJ Online Staff
WASHINGTON, DC, Feb. 5 --The US Department of the Interior's Minerals Management Service Tuesday said it distributed a record $1.1 billion in federal mineral revenues to states last year.
Wyoming received the most, a record $429.6 million, up from $333 million the year before. New Mexico was next with $365 million. Colorado received $64 million, Utah $47 million, Louisiana and Montana $31 million each, and California $27 million.
Government officials said the record payment reflected increased domestic drilling, especially in coalbed methane plays, and higher oil and gas prices in the early part of last year.
The federal government shares its lease and royalty revenues with the states where the activity occurs. Half of the revenues go to the state, 40% to the Reclamation Fund for water projects, and 10% to the US Treasury. Alaska is the only exception: Under its statehood act it gets 90% of the federal receipts.
Coastal states also share in revenues from federal leases adjacent to their seaward boundaries.
MMS said the $1,064,332,777 it shared with 33 states in 2001 compares with $800 million in 2000, $541 million in 1999, and $559 million in 1998.