Natural ResourcesNatural Resources

Public lands and waters are taxpayer assets that Congress should manage to preserve their value, ensure a fair return from private interests using them for profit, and avoid future taxpayer liabilities. Yet much federal policy governing the use of these valuable public assets is based on grossly outdated laws. ...More

The General Mining Law of 1872 was partly intended to promote settlement of the West, but modern mining companies use it to extract valuable gold and copper from public lands without paying taxpayers a royalty. Taxpayers subsidize construction of forest roads intended primarily for profitable timber companies. Outdated federal policies for managing and pricing scarce water supplies in the West result in unintended taxpayer costs.

Congress and the Administration should establish rents, royalties, and fees for private development of public land so taxpayers receive a fair return.

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All the latest content from TCS in Natural Resources
Letters & Testimony

TCS Submits Comments on Draft Solicitation for Advanced Fossil Energy Projects

September 10, 2013

TCS Submits Comments on Draft Solicitation for Advanced Fossil Energy Projects On July 2, the Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Programs Office announced a draft loan guarantee solicitation for advanced fossil energy... Read More

Letters & Testimony

Joint Letter to Congress: Trim Fossil Fuel Giveaways in Energy Spending Bill

July 10, 2013

Joint Letter to Congress: Trim Fossil Fuel Giveaways in Energy Spending Bill Members of the Green Scissors Campaign sent a letter to Congress today urging cuts to wasteful fossil fuel subsidies.... Read More

Statements

TCS Statement on President’s Climate Speech

June 25, 2013

TCS Statement on President’s Climate Speech Below is a statement by Ryan Alexander, president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, on the President's Speech on Climate Change.... Read More

Our Take

House Committee Passes Legislation That Could Siphon Billions in Royalty Revenue from Treasury

June 13, 2013

House Committee Passes Legislation That Could Siphon Billions in Royalty Revenue from Treasury The House Natural Resources Committee voted 23-18 Wednesday to send the “Offshore Energy and Jobs Act” (H.R. 2231) to the House Floor. The... Read More

Letters & Testimony

TCS Testifies on Revenue Sharing before House Natural Resources Subcommittee

June 11, 2013

TCS Testifies on Revenue Sharing before House Natural Resources Subcommittee Today, Taxpayers for Common Sense President Ryan Alexander testified before the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral... Read More

Letters & Testimony

TCS Submits Comments on Proposed Oil Shale Management Rule

May 28, 2013

TCS Submits Comments on Proposed Oil Shale Management Rule Earlier this year, the Bureau of Land Management proposed new regulations for royalty collection from oil shale leases on public lands.... Read More

More in-depth material from TCS in Natural Resources
Policy Brief

Analysis of Selected Sections of S. 601, Water Resources Development Act of 2013

March 20, 2013

Analysis of Selected Sections of S. 601, Water Resources Development Act of 2013 The Senate's Environment and Public Works committee is taking up a water project bill that could cost taxpayers billions.... Read More

Fact Sheet

Oil Shale: Failing Taxpayers for Decades

December 19, 2012

Oil Shale: Failing Taxpayers for Decades Since the early 20th century, the federal government and private industry have attempted to commercialize oil shale but after years of... Read More

Reports & Data

Subsidizing Oil Shale: Tracing Federal Support for Oil Shale Development in the United States

November 29, 2012

Subsidizing Oil Shale: Tracing Federal Support for Oil Shale Development in the United States With fiscal cliff looming, TCS calls for end to government handouts for failed oil shale experiments.... Read More

101

Loan Guarantee Program 101

October 16, 2012

Loan Guarantee Program 101 A basic primer on the Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Guarantee Program and answers general questions on the history, administration, and overall effect of the program.... Read More

TCS appearances in the media in Natural Resources

Most Southwest Idaho Forests Have Burned Since 1985

September 17, 2013 | Idaho Statesman

Wildfires since 1985 have burned 69 percent of the Payette National Forest and more than 50 percent of the Boise National Forest, a new... Read More

The Fair Act of 2013

July 24, 2013 | WJLA Capital Insider

Alexander interview July 23, 2013 The Fair Act of 2013, a bill sponsored by Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), would establish a partnership... Read More

Landrieu disappointed at Obama administration

July 24, 2013 | The Advocate

WASHINGTON - U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu said Tuesday it was tragic that the Obama administration opposed legislation that would generate... Read More

Lack of revenue bill support criticized

July 24, 2013 | Shreveport Times (Gannet)

WASHINGTON - Sens. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska slammed the Obama administration Tuesday for opposing their... Read More

The FAIR Act Is Bad Fiscal Policy

July 24, 2013 | U.S.News & World Report

Today I am in the Senate testifying before the Energy and Natural Resources Committee on proposed legislation to shift some of the federal... Read More

Weekly Wastebasket

Our weekly reality-check for federal spending. View All

May 03, 2013

Sandy at Six Months

Volume XVIII No. 18: Sandy came roaring into New York and New Jersey six months ago this week. It’s been... Read More