WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) released the following statement regarding Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s announcement regarding new onshore oil and gas leasing reforms:

“In light of the recent accident in the Gulf, America’s onshore oil and gas development is more important than ever.  Onshore oil and gas exploration creates jobs, generates state and local revenues, and helps power our country.  This Administration’s decision to add even more red tape to onshore policies will drive jobs and energy production out of Western States and leave Americans more vulnerable to higher gas prices. 

“In Wyoming, revenues from oil and gas bonus bids and rental fees were down from $93 million in 2008 to $10 million in 2009.  Fewer bids means fewer jobs. We cannot afford to lose any more American jobs by burdening onshore oil and gas development with even more bureaucratic hurdles.  I plan to introduce legislation with Senator Bennett (R-Utah) to block these new regulations until the Department considers the impact on jobs and state and local economies.” 

Senator Barrasso is the only Republican member of both the Senate Energy and Natural Resources and Environment and Public Works Committee. 

###