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Show ,Uep. Marriott introduces hill to unlock tar sands nan Marriott, R-Utah, Tuesday ReP eek reintroduced legislation lild "finally clear the way for development." I. vast tar sand deposits 90 which are in Utah-there are f tiv no "commercially viable tar Qties in the nation," he said. M revised legislation which I l' last Congress following Hrtion by former Rep. Gunn D-Utah, combined develop-"j'nil develop-"j'nil eas and tar sands would be 'ld on land leased from the gjj government in Utah and ?3 gas leasees are now hited from developing tar sand r"L found on their land subject to Uses under provisions of the gJUingAct of 1920. Ming language and interpretation act a "deterrent" to tar sand iion, Marriott said his Station, developed in consultation Ik the new administration, would Zmt the necessity of making a Ltion prior to leasing by allowing - interior Department to issue a joint snds-oil gas lease for the same s Krtion of land. rwjng the legislation introduced by Jteriott as a member of the House vtfior Committee, the owner of such a lease could convert his existing rights to a combined hydro-carbon lease The secretary of the Interior would be permitted to establish a lower aggregate limitation for leases in locations he has designated as tar sand areas, with the lease tract size for such leases limited to 5,120 acres. According to a subcommittee staff member, Utah concerns that would benefit from Mariott's tar sand bill include Oil Development Co. and the Santa Fe Railroad. Both own oil and gas leases and they want to explore for tar sands. "Since oil and gas leases often cover land which contains deposits of tar sands, it is only prudent that we allow companies to recover oil and tar sands from the same lease," said Marriott. The congressman said between 15 billion and 30 billion barrels of oil are trapped in tar sands deposits in the United States. Chief co-sponsor of the legislation is Rep. James V. Hansen, R-Utah. UTOPIA CLUB MFETS AT |
