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DOI/BLM

RIN: 1004-AD90

Publication ID: Fall 2008

Title: Oil Shale Leasing and Operations
Abstract: The Energy Policy Act of 2005 envisions a 3-step approach to the development of oil shale resources. The first step is the creation of a limited Research, Development, and Demonstration (RDD) Leasing Program designed to evaluate and test promising oil shale technology. Step two in the process is the completion of a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for leasing of Oil Shale and Tar Sands on public lands, with an emphasis on the most geologically prospective lands within the States of Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming. The third step in the process is the creation of rules regulating the leasing and development of the oil shale. This rule would create the regulations necessary to develop converted RDD leases and make commercial exploration, leasing, and development possible.
Agency: Department of the Interior(DOI)	Priority: Economically Significant
RIN Status: Previously published in the Unified Agenda	Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage
Major: Yes	Unfunded Mandates: No
CFR Citation: 43 CFR 3900
Legal Authority: Sec. 369(d) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005

Legal Deadline: None

Statement of Need: Currently there are no regulations in place that allow leasing and development of oil shale resources. The rule would establish the regulatory framework allowing commercial leasing and development of oil shale.

Summary of the Legal Basis: Sec. 369(d) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 requires that the Secretary of the Interior publish final regulations establishing a commercial leasing program for Oil Shale and Tar Sands.

Alternatives: There is no alternative to creation of the regulations. Creation of the regulations is mandated by sec. 369(d) of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Anticipated Costs and Benefits: BLM anticipates the following benefit: Increased Federal revenue and domestic fuel production, decreased dependency on energy imports, and the expansion of local economies through employment and taxes. The major categories of costs include: BLM administrative costs, including enforcement and monitoring, and compliance costs for lessees.

Risks: Development of the oil shale resources will place additional demands on the lands and localities containing the oil shale resources. These demands will result in increased resource conflicts (i.e., oil and gas, nahcolite, and wildlife) and pressure on local governments/infrastructure (i.e., law enforcement, schools, hospitals and roads).

Timetable:

Action	Date	FR Cite
ANPRM	08/25/2006	71 FR 50378
ANPRM Comment Period End	09/25/2006
Comment Period Extended	09/26/2006	71 FR 56085
ANPRM Comment Period End	10/25/2006
NPRM	07/23/2008	73 FR 42926
NPRM Comment Period End	09/22/2008
Final Action	11/00/2008

Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No	Government Levels Affected: None
Small Entities Affected: No	Federalism: No
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No
Agency Contact: Mitchell Leverette Division Chief, Solid Minerals (WO-320) Department of the Interior Bureau of Land Management Room 2134 LM, 20 M Street SE, Washington, DC 20003 Phone:202 912-7113 Fax:202 912-7199 Email: mleveret@blm.gov