Dear Ms. Daniel-Davis: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce (“the Chamber”) appreciates the opportunity to submit these comments in response to the Department of the Interior’s (“Interior”) request for public comment on its comprehensive review of the federal oil and gas program as called for in Executive Order 14008.
Energy production on federal lands is important to our economy and energy security and it is vital to dozens of state and local economies across the country. Congress has directed Interior to pursue a multiple use policy as it manages federal lands in trust for Americans. Moreover, Congress has been specific in directing the agency to conduct lease sales at regular intervals and issue corresponding permits to facilitate energy production on federal lands as an integral function of its multiple use mandate.