Democrats hope that legislation overhauling oil and gas on federal lands will stamp their climate imprint on federal fossil fuels leasing well into a future GOP administration.
Earlier versions of the package of five House bills failed in previous Congresses. But the newer versions, despite having no GOP backers so far, have brighter prospects with Democratic control of both the House and Senate. They propose to end non-competitive leasing on federal lands, control methane leaks from oil and gas infrastructure, ensure wells are sufficiently bonded and, among other things, boost public input on leasing.
The proposed reforms would have the ...