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United States · Bill · HR

H.R. 6860 (110th)

Oil and Gas Lease Reform Act of 2008

referredUnited States· United States Congress· EN

Introduced

10 September 2008

Last action

15 September 2008 · Referred

Status

Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.

Sponsors

Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN], Rep. Myrick, Sue Wilkins [R-NC-9], Rep. Drake, Thelma D. [R-VA-2], Rep. Poe, Ted [R-TX-2], Rep. Bachmann, Michele [R-MN-6], Rep. Musgrave, Marilyn N. [R-CO-4], Rep. Fallin, Mary [R-OK-5], Rep. Brown, Henry E., Jr. [R-SC-1], Rep. Price, Tom [R-GA-6], Rep. Goode, Virgil H., Jr. [R-VA-5], Rep. Schmidt, Jean [R-OH-2], Rep. McCotter, Thaddeus G. [R-MI-11], Rep. Broun, Paul C. [R-GA-10], Rep. Lamborn, Doug [R-CO-5], Rep. Gingrey, Phil [R-GA-11], Rep. Doolittle, John T. [R-CA-4], Rep. Herger, Wally [R-CA-2], Rep. Marchant, Kenny [R-TX-24], Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]

Subjects

Environment, Transport

Source updated

14 August 2025

Environment · Transport

Summary

Oil and Gas Lease Reform Act of 2008 - Declares that no state environmental or pollution control law regulating the emission of pollutants or protecting human health or the environment shall apply to any activity under a lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas on federal lands (including submerged lands), including any such state law expressly applicable to such activity under any other federal law. Amends the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA) to define "unnecessary or undue degradation," including: (1) surface or submerged disturbance greater than what would normally result when an activity is being accomplished by a prudent operator in usual, customary, and proficient operations of similar character and taking into considerations the effect of operations on other resources and land uses, including those resources and uses outside the area of operations; (2) failure to initiate and complete reasonable mitigation measures or to comply with applicable federal environmental statutes and regulations thereunder; or (3) failure to abide by the terms and conditions of an approved plan of operations and operations described in a complete notice. Amends the FLPMA, the Mineral Leasing Act, and the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Secretary of the Interior from suspending any lease for the exploration, development, or production of oil or natural gas, unless: (1) operations under the lease will present an imminent threat or harm to public safety or will significantly damage the public lands outside lease stipulations; or (2) the suspension is requested by the lessee. Prescribes requirements for review and termination of a suspension. Limits the requirement of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for an environmental impact statement for a lease for oil or natural gas exploration, development, or production on federal lands to: (1) sale of the lease by the lessee; and (2) a single statement and a single review, upon lessee request, with respect to all plans and permits required for exploration, development, production, and construction of infrastructure to be carried out under the lease. Requires issuance of an exploration, development, or production permit if the Secretary determines that the comprehensive plan for the project complies with NEPA requirements. Prescribes appeals process, enforcement, and specified related requirements.

This text is taken from the official record. PoliticalRepo does not editorialize.

Timeline

  1. 10 September 2008

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  2. 10 September 2008

    Introduced

    Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

    Source: IntroReferral

  3. 10 September 2008

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  4. 10 September 2008

    Introduced

    Introduced in House

    Source: IntroReferral

  5. 15 September 2008

    Referred

    Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.

    Source: Committee

Votes

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Versions

Documents

3 official files

Introduced in House (text)

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  • Introduced in House (text)

    Introduced in House · EN · 10 September 2008

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

  • Introduced in House (PDF)

    Introduced in House · EN · 10 September 2008

    ViewDownloadOpen at official source

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  • Introduced in House

    summary · EN · 10 September 2008

    Open at official source

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Sponsors

Related records

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Sources

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