Washington, D.C. — Following the Interior Department’s oil and gas program forum today, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) issued the following statement from Conservation Program Director Alex Taurel:

“For too long the oil and gas industry has reaped the benefits of a broken leasing system that is rigged in favor of oil industry executives and leaves our public lands, waters, and communities to pay the price. It is past time to take a hard look at this program that rebalances the priorities of our public lands and waters, makes them part of the solution to tackling the climate crisis, and expands access to nature and makes it more equitable. 

“We are thrilled to see Secretary Haaland and the Interior Department leading this effort to reform the unjust oil and gas system on our public lands and waters. Following four years under the Trump administration where oil industry CEOs and lobbyists had their run of the place, we especially applaud this Interior Department for listening to the voices of Tribal communities, environmental justice advocates, conservationists and others advocating for charting a new path forward for our public lands and waters. As we undergo a necessary transition to clean energy, we have an obligation to ensure that workers and communities that powered our growth have the resources and tools to thrive in this new era.”

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In case you missed it, Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund launched a campaign on Monday in support of the federal leasing review, highlighting potential benefits to taxpayers and need for greater access to public lands. MCVEF contact: Whitner Chase, wchase@mtvoters.org, 406-254-1593

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