Environment | Politics

Mitt Romney wants states to control energy on federal lands

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney will be in New Mexico today to discuss his energy plan, which would put states in charge of energy development on federal lands.

States are better equipped to regulate energy development than the federal government, Romney says in the plan. So he believes they should be able to control the "development and production of all forms of energy on federal lands within their borders" with the exception of certain off-limit areas.

The plan, however, doesn't say whether tribes should have the same ability to control federal lands within or near their reservations. And it doesn't mention whether sacred sites on federal lands will be off-limits from development.

Romney's vision also includes approval of the controversial Keystone XL Pipeline. Tribes in the U.S. and First Nations in Canada oppose the massive project, which would cross several states.

Get the Story:
Mitt Romney says plan will achieve North American energy independence by 2020 (The Washington Post 8/23)
Romney Energy Plan Would Expand Oil Drilling on U.S. Land and Offshore (The New York Times 8/23)