Congresswoman Boebert Introduces Bill to Block Biden's 1.6 Million Acre Colorado Land Grab
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert introduced H.R. 6547, legislation that prohibits the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from locking up 1.6 million acres of land in Colorado from responsible oil and gas production.
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (CO-03) said, “Joe Biden and his agency minions are making a concerted effort to undermine our energy production, particularly in Colorado. As gas prices soar to unprecedented levels nationwide, inflation crushes working families, and our national debt skyrockets at an alarming pace, the time for effective solutions is now. Instead of championing an all-of-the-above energy production to stimulate the economy and lower energy prices, Joe Biden is hellbent on trying to eliminate the oil and gas industry, as evidenced by his tyrannical actions like this concerning land grab."
Chelsie Miera, Executive Director of the West Slope Colorado Oil & Gas Association, said, “The hardworking women and men in Western Colorado's oil and natural gas industry take pride in producing reliable, affordable, and safe natural gas and oil for our neighbors, Americans, and allies. It is crucial to consider the taxes and revenues paid by our industry, which fund important rural fire protection districts, library districts, rural schools, tourism projects, and much more. As a primary employer, creating 2 or 3 jobs in the economy for every job in our industry, we are thankful to contribute to a diversified economy for Western Colorado. Despite BLM's alternatives presenting a false choice, suggesting that either recreation or oil and gas are mutually exclusive on public lands, the Western Slope has shown that we can utilize our public lands with all multiple uses thriving together for the betterment of our communities.”
Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-5) said, “As Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, I am pleased to join my Colorado colleague Congresswoman Boebert in pushing back against the Biden administration’s overreach. Removing 1.6 million acres of land in Colorado from energy production will raise the cost of Americans’ energy bills. We must have an “all-of-the-above” energy approach to ensure effective and reliable energy production.”
Garfield County Commissioner Tom Jankovskysaid, “Garfield County, CO is home to the Piceance Basin, which has the second largest natural gas reserves in the U.S. I appreciate Rep. Boebert’s attention to oil & gas drilling on federal lands. The natural gas reserves from our region are an important resource for our country and geopolitically.”
Congressman Andy Ogles (TN-5) said, “The Biden Administration has been honest about its opposition to affordable energy and good-paying American jobs. Biden’s BLM has gone out of its way to punish the oil and gas industry, and we’ll all be paying the price unless we put a stop to it. I applaud Congresswoman Boebert’s leadership on this bill to block Biden’s latest land grab.”
Background:
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert introduced H.R. 6547 to prohibit the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) from implementing a plan to end new oil leases on 1.6 million acres in Colorado. If the BLM’s proposal is finalized, the United States would lose access to vital energy resources while Americans are feeling the sting of increased gas and energy prices.
On August 4th, 2023, the Bureau of Land Management published a draft resource management plan (RMP) for the Colorado River Valley Field Office (CRVFO) and Grand Junction Field Office (GJFO). This plan could remove over 1.6 million acres of public lands in Colorado from future oil and gas leasing and establish nine different "Areas of Critical Environmental Concern" (ACECs) on over 100,000 acres of BLM land.
If this proposal were finalized, the entire country would feel its impact. Currently, projections indicate that over 600 wells may be lost by 2043. The implementation of this proposal would further contribute to an increase in that number.
Consequently, this escalation is expected to result in higher gas prices and a heightened dependence on OPEC and foreign nations for energy supply.
In response to this egregious plan, Congresswoman Boebert first sent a letter to Tracy Stone-Manning, Director of the BLM. You can read the full letter here urging her to rescind the proposed draft resource management plan.
On November 3rd, Congresswoman Boebert’s amendment to block this land grab to the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2024 passed the House with strong bipartisan support.
Congresswoman Lauren Boebert remains committed to securing American energy dominance. Amidst the Biden administration's efforts to transition away from the traditional oil and gas industry in favor of radical "Green New Deal" policies, Congresswoman Boebert stands as an advocate for preserving and strengthening these vital sectors. Congresswoman Boebert remains committed to securing the American people much-needed relief from rising gas prices and record-high inflation.
Click here to read the full bill.