nobody's talking about this... Drilling Arctic Refuge in Tax Bill [View all]

[handmade34]

https://www.ecowatch.com/arctic-refuge-drilling-2517635533.html?utm_source=EcoWatch+List&utm_campaign=31703f6b5b-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_49c7d43dc9-31703f6b5b-85984465

Section 2001 directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish and administer all aspects of a competitive oil and gas program in the non-wilderness portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge...Section 20001 further requires the Secretary to conduct at least two area-wide lease sales within the 10-year budget window – the first lease sale within four years of the Act’s enactment and the second lease sale within seven years of enactment. Each lease sale must contain not fewer than 400,000 acres and be comprised of those areas that have the highest hydrocarbon potential. The legislation directs the Secretary to issue any necessary rights-of-way or easements across the Coastal Plain for the exploration, development, production, or transportation associated with the oil and gas program. Additionally, the section authorizes the development of up to 2,000 surface acres of federal land on the Coastal Plain.