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Show Bill set to remove obstacles provide for a reasonable balance between the national interest and the state's interests." "As someone who has devoted much of his political career to seeking to return control of federally owned lands to the states, I consider these consultation provisions to be absolutely essential," Gam said. "I applaud the efforts of Utah Gov. Scott Matheson and Colorado Gov. Richard Lamm in convincing the Interior Department tc recommend such a precedure to Congress." WASHINGTON,D.C. -A major energy bill pending before the Senate would remove key obstacles impeding development of Utah's vast oil shale resources while giving state officials "an almost unprecedented voice" in the leasing of federal lands, Senator Jake Garn (R-Utah) said recently. The bill, S. 1484, contains provisions allowing the Secretary of Interior to: 1. Expand the size of the allowable oil shale lease to provide for an "economic unit" 2. Allow a leaseholder to maintain one oil shale lease per state and three altogether 3. Initiate a consultation process among the Interior Department, specifically the Secretary of the Interior, and local and state officials whose jurisdictions will be affected by oil shale development. The bill recently was passed and reported out by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee and is awaiting consideration by the full Senate, probably when congress reconvenes in late January after the holiday recess. "This legislation reflects a workable balance between the pressing need to develop our oil shale resources to augment our national . energy supplies and the equally important need to respect the views of state and local officials," Garn said. The bill retains the current 5,120-acre lease limitation but gives the Interior Secretary authority to lease up to 15,360 acres if he determines a larger area may be required to permit long-term commercial operations. The Secretary's discretionary power would not apply to Colorado lease sites." "This provision is necessary to make shale mining more economical in Utah," the senator said. "Our shale differs from that in Colorado, because it is less rich and is found in thinner seams. A larger lease is necessary to ensure the recovery of sufficient oil-bearing oil-bearing rock to make a mining operation viable," he added. Although the Interior Secretary would retain authority over the leasing of federal oil shale tracts, the bill requires him to "consult with local and state and tribal officials on leasing decisions." Of special significance in Gam's view, is the stipulation that the Secretary "shall accept recommendations of the Governor if he determines that they |
