New Bill Would Restore the Role of Public Input in Oil and Gas Leasing on Public Lands
NRDC backs Neguse-Luján legislation to restore community voice in BLM leasing decisions
WASHINGTON, DC — Rep. Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) introduced the Local Input Act, which would restore the role of public input and agency discretion in oil and gas leasing on public lands. The bill responds to direction in the 2025 budget reconciliation law that requires the Bureau of Land Management to make public lands available for industry without engagement from local communities.
Following is a reaction from Amy Mall, director of the Fossil Fuels program at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):
“NRDC strongly supports the Local Input Act because every American deserves a meaningful voice in decisions affecting our shared public lands.
“Public lands belong to all of us, and decisions about their future should reflect the public interest. Drilling proposals can affect a community's water, wildlife, ranches and farms, outdoor recreation opportunities, and cultural resources. Local communities deserve to be heard, and land managers should have the authority to act on those concerns. The Local Input Act restores and affirms that commonsense principle.”
Background
The Local Input Act would reinstate the role of public comment in BLM’s leasing process. Under the 2025 reconciliation law, BLM was directed to lease a large share of the parcels industry nominates on a set timeline, regardless of conflicts with water, wildlife, or community priorities.
View the full bill text HERE.
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NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd).