Leasing of Federal lands for fossil-fuels production

Book · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

OSTI ID:5569921

McDonald, S L

This study was undertaken on the premise that the greater part of the nation's remaining fossil-fuel resources are to be found on lands, offshore and onshore, under Federal jurisdiction, and that the procedures, terms, and conditions under which these lands are leased for minerals production will significantly affect the nation's energy economy for many years to come. It has been estimated recently that about two-thirds of the remaining oil resources and 40% of the remaining natural gas resources are located on the outer continental shelf. About 40% of the country's known coal resources are situated on Federal lands in the West. About three-fourths of the acreage containing oil-shale deposits with commercial potential consists of public lands. All these lands are leased, or are subject to lease by the Department of the Interior, to private operators under procedures, terms, and conditions prescribed by Federal statutes and regulations. In view of the nation's energy problems and prospects, the question may be raised whether existing leasing practices and associated regulation of lessee operations contribute what they could to an efficient energy economy. An attempt is made to give an answer to that question.

• OSTI ID: 5569921
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
017000 -- Coal
Lignite
& Peat-- Legislation & Regulations
02 PETROLEUM
021000* -- Petroleum-- Legislation & Regulations
03 NATURAL GAS
031000 -- Natural Gas-- Legislation & Regulations
04 OIL SHALES AND TAR SANDS
042000 -- Oil Shales & Tar Sands-- Legislation & Regulations
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
293000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Policy
Legislation
& Regulation
294000 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Fossil Fuels
COAL DEPOSITS
CONTINENTAL MARGIN
CONTINENTAL SHELF
ECONOMIC IMPACT
ECONOMY
ENERGY SOURCES
EVALUATION
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GEOLOGIC DEPOSITS
GOVERNMENT POLICIES
LAWS
LEASES
LEASING
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
NATURAL GAS DEPOSITS
NORTH AMERICA
OIL SHALE DEPOSITS
PETROLEUM DEPOSITS
PUBLIC LANDS
REGULATIONS
RESERVES
RESOURCES
US DOI
US ORGANIZATIONS
USA