Why Oil and Gas
Oil and Gas
Much of the oil and gas produced in the United States comes from our public wildlands. Our work helps to protect our cherished wild places from damages caused by oil and gas drilling.
While there are some lands that are appropriate for oil and gas drilling, others are simply too wild and fragile for industrial development. Oil and gas development can lead to:
- Habitat fragmentation and disturbances in migration, breeding and foraging habits of wildlife
- Pollution of air and water through daily operations
- Toxic oil spills
- Noise pollution
- Spoiled beauty of scenic areas
The Wilderness Society is committed to making sure that oil and gas development is done safely and responsibly, while making sure our most pristine and treasured landscapes are protected.
Why oil and gas
Our government allows oil and gas companies to drill on the wildlands that belong to all Americans. When not done responsibly, or when allowed to take place in sensitive habitats, drilling can do lasting damages to these wild places. We work to ensure that any development on our public land is safe and responsible.
Oil subsidies
Profit-rich oil and gas companies currently receive more than $4 billion in subsidies. These subsidies were originally used to help the industry in its early days, but they are no longer needed.
Federal legislation
Laws passed through Congress have established a framework for managing our public lands. These laws allow us to use our lands for various uses without harming the environment.
Administrative reforms
A presidential administration gets leeway on how to approach oil and gas development. While there are baseline laws to be followed, the president's administration can pass certain reforms to make oil and gas drilling safer for wildlands.
Leasing on public lands
The oil and gas development process on public lands is in place to decrease environmental harm in surrounding areas. The water, air and habitats need to be kept clean and the oil and gas drilling needs to be kept to the smallest footprint possible. The federal government has important policies in place to ensure this occurs.
Oil and gas FAQs
This page has answers to some frequently asked questions about our work on oil and gas issues.
Notes from the Hill
Stay current on legislation moving in Congress, issues affecting wilderness and wilderness designation campaigns with our Notes from the Hill.
Take Action
Add your voice to important wilderness causes and take action to stop threats to our wildlands by joining our community of wilderness activists.
Policy and Science Library
Find fact sheets, reports and other resources related to wilderness policy and conservation.
Thursday, May 16, 2013Visit us in the Eco-Village at this summer’s Dave Matthews Band concerts.
Thursday, May 16, 2013It is a haven for geology lovers as water and erosion has exposed millions of years of deposited sedimentary rock. Recreationists of all kinds are awed by its natural sculptures: rock formations, canyons, mesas and gorges.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013A new rule will protect proposed renewable energy sites from conflicting mining development on public lands in the Western states, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) said at the end of April.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013Yet, here we are, with people and the government unable to stop furloughs, job losses, and lower revenue to keep the government functioning. Our public lands have certainly not been spared from this indiscriminate budget ax.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013But Alaska’s Sen. Lisa Murkowski refused to accept that decision. She and residents of the tiny community of King Cove are fighting to have the decision overturned.
Tuesday, March 19, 2013Birdwatchers travel from far and wide to northwest Colorado to see male sage-grouse strut their stuff in hopes of attracting a mate. Early spring is prime season to catch these timid grouse dancing on the lek and shaking their tail feathers through organized tours.
Expanding energy development to meet the growing needs of America must be balanced with protecting vital wild places.
The Wilderness Society has launched a new quarterly report "By The Numbers" to track how many acres of American land have been protected by Congress and the Executive branch, and how many acres have been leased out to energy development.
April 24, 2013
Dear Senator:
In 2012, the Bureau of Land Management released Manual 6330, which replaced the agency's longstanding policy for management of Wilderness Study Areas (WSAs), known as the Interim Management Policy for Lands Under Wilderness Review (IMP). Manual 6330 does not provide for designation of new WSAs, but it does require more protective management for existing WSAs than the IMP.
Friday, May 17, 2013A draft Resource Management Plan (RMP) for the Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area and Dominguez Canyon Wilderness near Grand Junction, CO would improve land management efforts and provide a sustainable path for the area over the next 20 years.
Thursday, May 16, 2013The Wilderness Society today applauded the U.S. Senate for passing the Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act out of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
The Rio Grande del Norte National Conservation Area Establishment Act (S. 241) – sponsored by Tom Udall (D-NM) and co-sponsored by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) – would protect as wilderness roughly 13,500 acres of the Cerro del Yuta and 8,000 acres of the Rio San Antonio areas.
Thursday, May 16, 2013The Wilderness Society today applauded the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee for passing the Pine Forest Range Recreation Enhancement Act out of committee.