I’m writing today to urge you to block the Interior Department's proposed rollback of public participation in oil and gas drilling reviews on federal lands.
The proposal would eliminate two comment periods entirely and slash the protest period from 30 days to just 10 — making meaningful public input nearly impossible when a single lease sale can cover dozens of parcels with distinct environmental concerns.
It’s no secret why: The fossil fuel companies have decided they do not operate in a democracy, and want everything their way, with zero accountability.
However, these are our public lands, and the people who live near them deserve a real voice before drilling begins.
The financial assurance cuts are just as alarming. Reducing cleanup bonds from $500,000 to $25,000 — a 95% cut — means companies can walk away from abandoned wells and leave taxpayers holding the bill for polluted water and leaking methane.
This isn't streamlining; it's a handout to an industry that already donated record amounts to this administration. The same officials weakening these reviews have simultaneously ordered environmental assessments of wind turbines, which makes the double standard impossible to ignore.
I urge you to stand against these rollbacks and demand the BLM preserve the full public comment process and restore meaningful financial accountability for drilling companies. Thank you.
First sent on June 30 by Mark
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