FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 4, 2009
CONTACT:
Laura Henderson (202) 621-2951
IER: Closing Utah Leases Bad Omen for American Energy Production
Washington, DC – Institute for Energy Research (IER) president Thomas J. Pyle today issued the following statement in advance of the Secretary of Interior’s expected announcement that he will withdrawal 77 areas in Utah that were offered and leased for exploration in 2008.
“This action signals the beginning of the Administration’s plan to disregard the voices of millions of Americans who want to utilize our vast domestic energy resources. Rather than allow Americans to increase our domestic exploration–which leads to less reliance on unstable foreign regimes, more American jobs, and increased revenue for the government—the Obama Administration’s actions will lead to job losses, government revenue losses, and higher energy costs for consumers.”
Secretary Salazar is expected to announce that the Department is withdrawing the leases to execute a broader environmental review of the proposed leases today at 2:30 p.m.
The Institute for Energy Research (IER) is a not-for-profit organization that conducts intensive research and analysis on the functions, operations, and government regulation of global energy markets. IER maintains that freely-functioning energy markets provide the most efficient and effective solutions to today’s global energy and environmental challenges and, as such, are critical to the well-being of individuals and society.
#####
