Statement from Ms. Ryan Alexander, president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, on the Bureau of Land Management’s release today of the final rule: Waste Prevention, Production Subject to Royalties, and Resource Conservation.

“Today the Department of the Interior finalized a rule that takes taxpayers back 30 years in the battle to stop the waste of natural gas, and get taxpayers a fair return. This fiscally reckless action suspends or delays most of the Bureau of Land Management’s 2016 methane waste rule. Secretary Zinke has effectively locked taxpayers into outdated guidance that has led to billions of dollars in wasted natural gas and lost taxpayer revenue.

While the Administration has the ability to review any previously enacted rules, the waste prevention rule has been carefully crafted over many years, and protects the interests of taxpayers. It is fiscally reckless to delay actions to stop waste and collect royalties during that process. In 2016, TCS found that between 2006 and 2015, 90 percent of the $951.3 million worth of natural gas that was leaked, vented or flared did not incur a royalty fee. The financial ramifications are clear: Natural gas waste is growing and, with this latest rule delaying actions, so will taxpayer losses.”

-Ryan Alexander, president

Learn more at:

• Comments: Comments to the Bureau of Land Management on the Delay of the Methane Waste Rule
• Our Take: Locked into Outdated, Ineffective Methane Rule: Taxpayers Will Lose
• Column: Royalty Screwed
• Our Take: Ensuring Fair Returns for Natural Gas on Federal Lands
• Fact Sheet: BLM Methane Rule At Risk
• Report: Gone with the Wind: How Taxpayers Are Losing Millions in Revenue from Wasted Gas
• Statement: Statement on Delay and Suspension of BLM Methane Waste Rule
• Statement: Taxpayers Win With Senate’s Refusal to use CRA on Methane Waste Rule