Tiffany Introduces Legislation to Require Oil and Gas Permitting and Leasing Oversight

Press Release

Yesterday, Congressman Tom Tiffany (WI-07), joined by House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (AR-04), introduced the Directing Responsibility to Interior for Leases and Licenses Act, also known as the DRILL Act, to require the Department of Interior (DOI) to publish information online and report to Congress regarding the processing of onshore and offshore drilling and exploration permits, the status of federal leases, and usage of applications for permits to drill (APD) fees. The DRILL Act would also require the DOI and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to submit a yearly report to Congress detailing staffing capacity and planning to ensure the timely processing of permits and planning for lease sales.

Congressman Tom Tiffany stated, "At a time when energy prices are at record highs, President Biden's Department of Interior is sitting on over 4,000 applications for permits to drill. This is unacceptable, and it's why I introduced the DRILL Act to provide transparency on where these permits and leases stand, hold Washington bureaucrats accountable, and ensure they are carrying out their jobs in a timely manner -- just as working Americans must do every single day."

Ranking Member Bruce Westerman said, "Part of the Republican commitment to America is robust oversight of our federal agencies. Congressman Tiffany's legislation would do just that, requiring DOI to report to Congress on the status of federal leases, onshore and offshore drilling permits, usage of APD fees, and more. We've had enough of the Biden administration's haphazard policies and murky deals. American industries deserve a process that's above board, and I'm honored to put our words into action through this legislation."

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