Representatives want suspension of royalties on federal land

 

Oklahoma Reps. Tom Cole and Kevin Hern are among 30 Republicans in the House calling on the U.S. Interior Department to temporarily pause or suspend royalty fees from oil, gas, coal and other minerals production on federal lands as the industries suffer from the coronavirus.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy was among the 30 who sent a letter similar to a call made by Senate Republicans.

“We ask your support in providing relief within your existing authority, to essential industries impacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, until our nation gets back on track,” wrote the Representatives.

“We encourage you to suspend, defer, or reduce, the federal royalty payments for oil, gas, coal, soda ash, and other minerals to the U.S Treasury during these uncertain economic times, caused by the COVID-a9 outbreak,” continued the letter. “Ideally, any reduction would allow producers working on the federal estate to forgo the federal portion of required royalty payments while preserving the portion that is returned to the states so as not to negatively impact state revenues.”

Click here to view the letter.