Statement: Senator Cortez Masto 2021 Bill Would End Speculative Leasing on Our Public Lands

Today Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) sponsored the End Speculative Oil and Gas Leasing Act of 2021 that would prevent oil and gas speculators from leasing public lands that offer little to no potential for energy development.

Our nation’s public lands, and the people and wildlife who rely on them, face unprecedented challenges. Among them is the threat of speculative leasing, a destructive practice that allows oil and gas companies to tie up public lands with little to no potential for development in long-term leases. Speculative leasing not only wastes important government resources, but it also puts critical wildlife habitat in harm’s way, and hinders public access to the great outdoors, threatening important opportunities to connect with the landscape that is home to valuable cultural landmarks. Thankfully, it is not too late to stop this.

Senator Cortez Masto’s bill will finally put an end to speculative leasing and put public lands back into the hands of the people. We strongly support this legislation and encourage Congress to work with the Biden administration in their review of the federal leasing system to ensure it best serves our communities and public lands for generations to come.