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Issues · fossil-fuel-leases · Environment & energy

Fossil-fuel leases on federal lands

Whether the federal government should continue offering oil, gas, and coal leases on federal lands and offshore waters — and at what royalty rates.

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Roughly a quarter of U.S. oil and gas production comes from federal lands and waters. Key debates:

  • New leasing pauses: Biden's 2021 leasing pause was partially overturned in court; subsequent administration policies have varied.
  • Royalty rates: Long held at 12.5% on onshore federal leases — lower than most state and private rates. The IRA raised them to 16.67% with adjustments.
  • Methane regulations: Limits on methane venting and flaring on federal leases.
  • ANWR and offshore drilling: Specific contested areas (Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Atlantic and Gulf offshore).
  • Mineral leasing reform: Modernizing 1872 Mining Law for hardrock minerals.

Spectrum of framings

How adherents on each side of the conventional left / center / right spectrum frame this issue — written so each camp would recognize the framing as charitable.

left

Progressives favor halting or sharply restricting new fossil-fuel leases.

center

Many centrists favor reforming royalty rates, methane standards, and leasing practices without halting all leasing.

right

Most conservatives favor expanded leasing as energy security and economic policy.

Perspectives

Each perspective is presented in terms its advocates would recognize, with the concerns they treat as paramount. None is endorsed.

  • Lease-restriction advocates

    Federal lands are a public trust. Continuing to lease them for fossil fuels at low royalty rates is incompatible with climate goals and shortchanges taxpayers.

    • Climate-policy consistency
    • Below-market royalty rates
    • Public-trust stewardship

  • Energy-security advocates

    Federal lands and offshore waters are critical for U.S. energy independence and consumer prices. Continued responsible leasing — with modern environmental standards — is essential.

    • Energy security
    • Consumer energy prices
    • Federal-revenue contributions

  • Royalty-and-standards reformers

    Continue leasing but at modern royalty rates and with strict methane / venting / reclamation standards — addressing both fiscal and environmental concerns without ending federal energy production.

    • Royalty modernization
    • Methane and reclamation standards
    • Bonding and cleanup obligations

Voices on this issue2

Commonly-cited public figures who have taken a position on this issue. Grouped by their conventional left/center/right lean. Tap a voice to see their full position record.

center1

right1

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