Western Caucus Members Express Concerns Over Cancelation of Oil & Gas Leases in BTNF

Press Release

Congressional Western Caucus Members Steve Pearce (NM-02), Rob Bishop (UT-01), Cynthia Lummis (WY-AL), Mike Simpson (ID-02), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Wally Herger (CA-2) and Tom McClintock (CA-04) have sent a letter to Regional Forester Harv Forsgren (Intermountain Region) asking him to reconsider Forest Supervisor Buchanan's recent decision to cancel federal oil and gas leases on 44,720 acres in the Bridger-Teton National Forest.

From the letter:

"This ill-advised decision takes a dangerous step to reduce America's energy security, tramples on the property and contract rights of private companies, and prevents the development of oil and gas reserves." For the full text of the letter, click here.

"Despite rising gas prices and even his own rhetoric calling for increased production of America's oil and gas resources, President Obama's Administration continues to be an obstacles to American energy production. Even worse, this Administration is now setting the dangerous precedent of canceling lawfully auctioned and issued federal oil and gas leases which undermines the integrity of the lawfully established competitive leasing process. The decision should be reconsidered and development should be allowed to proceed in a responsible manner." - Congressional Western Caucus Chairman Steve Pearce (NM-02)

"There he goes again. The President along with his cabinet members are saying one thing while doing another. The President says we must produce more domestic energy and the Secretary of the Interior says we must respect lease agreements. Instead, the Administration is canceling another lease agreement and reducing our ability to produce domestic energy. The American people reject this Washington doublespeak and instead want real solutions to our high energy prices." -- Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

"This misguided decision proves that President Obama's calls for increased production of America's oil and gas resources are nothing but lip service. Americans cannot afford backward steps when it comes to energy independence. America's energy crisis exacerbates America's economic crisis and our continuing reliance on foreign oil escalates both. Americans are facing skyrocketing energy costs -- they are asking for relief. I urge the Administration to match its words with action and put a stop to its penchant for locking up our country's vast domestic energy resources." -- Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis (WY)

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