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House GOP Advances Bill Expanding Fossil Fuel Leasing and Selling Public Lands

The legislation, which includes a controversial Nevada-Utah land sale amendment, heads to the full House as part of a broader reconciliation package.

Overview

  • The House Natural Resources Committee approved a GOP-led bill to increase fossil fuel production and mining on public lands by a 26-17 vote, with one Democrat joining Republicans.
  • The bill mandates 30 offshore drilling lease auctions in the Gulf of Mexico and six in Alaska's Cook Inlet over 15 years, alongside expanded Arctic drilling opportunities.
  • A last-minute amendment authorizes the sale of public lands in Nevada and Utah, with some parcels designated for affordable housing, sparking bipartisan criticism.
  • The legislation reduces royalty rates for oil, gas, and coal extraction, projects $18.5 billion in revenue to finance tax cuts, and allows expedited environmental reviews exempt from court challenges.
  • Rep. Ryan Zinke, a former Interior Secretary, opposed the land sale provision, calling it a 'red line,' and launched a bipartisan Public Lands Caucus to advocate for federal land protections.