Rep. Grijalva Questions BLM’s Energy Priorities, Asks for Updated Data on Unused Permits

Washington, D.C. – Ranking Member Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) sent a letter today to the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Acting Director Michael D. Nedd expressing his deep disappointment in the agency’s plans to prioritize leasing and permitting for oil, gas, and coal above all other uses on America’s public lands. The letter expresses concern that the agency intends to focus on energy development at the expense of conservation, wildlife protection, recreation, air and water quality, and all other values.

In the letter, Grijalva questions the need to address a “backlog” of Applications for Permits to Drill (APDs) when BLM data shows that over 7,500 approved permits were being stockpiled by industry as of the end of Fiscal Year 2015, and requests the data for Fiscal Year 2016, which has yet to be released by the BLM.

The full letter is available at http://bit.ly/2ozTkN4. 

Press Contact

Diane Padilla

(202) 225-6065 or (202) 306-1333

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