Today, following months of hearings and input from stakeholders, Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) released discussion draft legislation to overhaul federal lands energy policy. The legislation reforms existing regulatory frameworks for energy development in America’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) and the vast onshore acreage under federal ownership. 

“America’s shale revolution ushered in an era of energy leadership and innovation. As state and private lands benefited from greater investment and development, misguided federal policies prevented our vast federal estate from experiencing the same fortune. Despite abundant undiscovered resources, our federal lands and waters have been held hostage by Washington bureaucracy. This comprehensive overhaul of upstream energy policy creates the regulatory certainty that is needed to spur economic investment on federal lands. With these reforms, we can harness the full potential of our domestic resources, increase revenues to federal and state governments and build a foundation of energy strength at home and abroad,” Chairman Bishop said.