First oil and gas rental sales on public lands have brought nearly $40,000,000 early victory to the Trump administration – What about Watt?

From the Daily Caller

Fiona McLoughlin
Contributors

The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced Thursday that the department generated more than $39 million in revenue from oil and gas rental sales on public land in the first few months of 2025.

The agency's press release said the sale “emphasizes the department's commitment to responsible energy development that continues to be committed to public land and U.S. energy dominance.” Revenue also reflects the government's ongoing commitment to supporting job growth, reducing dependence on foreign resources, freeing up domestic energy production and simplifying the licensing and leasing process.

“The rental sales for the quarter demonstrate the Interior Department's strong commitment to promoting U.S. energy advantages, and we thank those who produce energy on federal land,” DOI Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. “By building common sense, growth policies of the Trump administration, we are ensuring that public land is accustomed to its maximum potential in support of the national security, economic strength and livelihoods of the American people.”

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) leased 34 parcels totaling 25,038 acres, totaling $39,007,609 in the first quarter of 2025, the press release said. The bonus bids and rents for leases are set to be distributed between states and federal governments. The states where sales occur include North Dakota, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada and Wyoming. (Related: Biden Administrator Lock in U.S. history’s thinnest offshore oil and gas rental schedule as pump prices remain high).

Trump administrator's first oil and gas rental sales amounted to nearly $40 million to use in U.S. vault https://t.co/g4wovinbd3

– Fox News (@foxnews) March 28, 2025

Sales were conducted in President Donald Trump’s Executive Order No. 14154, which aims to help “meet the energy needs of U.S. citizens and strengthen the country’s long-standing future as a global energy leader.”

The press release states that if there is a “production quantity that produces oil and gas”, the duration of oil and gas leases is 10 years, it can last longer. The federal government also received a royalty of 16.67% from production.

BLM will hold an additional 15 oil and gas rental sales in 2025.