SFRED presented testimony before Congress welcoming energy leasing reforms that address potential conflicts upfront. Photo by Bobby Hottensen.
Sportsmen for Responsible Energy Development, a coalition of hunters and anglers led by the TRCP, National Wildlife Federation and Trout Unlimited, presented testimony before Congress recently underscoring the need to manage the nation’s public lands for a range of uses – and welcoming energy leasing reforms that address potential conflicts upfront and have reduced the number of lease protests.
Corey Fisher, assistant energy director for TU and SFRED representative, told the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce that striking a balance between energy production and conservation on public lands is essential for sustaining quality hunting and angling.
“I firmly believe that responsible energy production that balances the needs of fish and wildlife habitats and water resources is achievable and is an important component of a sound economy,” Fisher said.
Federal figures show that oil and gas production is at record levels and the country’s dependence on foreign oil has dropped, the sportsmen’s coalition noted. However, some members of Congress are promoting legislation that would speed up leasing and drilling on federal lands – in spite of the fact that more than 7,000 drilling permits currently aren’t being used and leases on nearly 21 million acres are sitting idle.
“Energy development on public lands that doesn’t consider its impacts on fish, wildlife and air and water quality fails to fulfill the Bureau of Land Management’s multiple-use mandate and irreparably damages our nation’s outdoor heritage,’’ said Ed Arnett, director of the TRCP’s Center for Responsible Energy Development.
Learn more about SFRED.
Learn more about the TRCP’s work in support of responsible energy development.
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