Examining the Bureau of Land Management Public Lands Leasing

PURPOSE:

• To examine recent management of oil and gas lease sales by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

BACKGROUND:

• The Mineral Leasing Act of 1920 (MLA) gives the Secretary of the Interior the authority to sell leases for the development of fossil fuels on federal lands.
• Under the MLA, BLM is authorized to conduct competitive and noncompetitive leasing of lands for oil and gas production and exploration.
• Recently, BLM has faced logistical and other challenges to its leasing process which may necessitate a change in how it conducts lease sales.

INVITED WITNESSES:

 The Honorable Neil Kornze        
Director
Bureau of Land Management
U.S. Department of Interior