House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Doc Hastings (WA-04) released the following statement today regarding Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar’s announcement that only 17 out of 77 parcels of land in Utah will be leased for oil and gas production:

“With unemployment near 10 percent, it’s astounding that the Obama Administration is once again blocking American energy production and the creation of high-wage jobs.  After withdrawing 77 parcels of land from oil and gas production in February, the Administration is now only allowing 22 percent of these areas to be developed.  The vast majority of land remains locked up, even though it has already been through an extensive seven-year environmental review process.  If this announcement is the Administration’s definition of a ‘new day,’ the future of American energy does not look bright.  This decision reflects the Administration’s clear lack of commitment to job creation and all-of-the-above energy development.”

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