The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has finalized updated management plans that permit new oil and gas leasing on federal lands within eight Central California counties. The decision, announced this week, reopens energy development opportunities in Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare, and Ventura counties. This move ends a yearslong pause on leasing in the Bakersfield Field Office region, which covers approximately 400,000 acres of public land and 1.2 million acres of federal mineral estate.
Federal officials stated the decision fulfills obligations under a 2022 settlement agreement and aligns with efforts to increase domestic energy production. The agency completed a supplemental environmental impact statement examining potential effects of future leasing and development before issuing the approval. According to the BLM, energy activities on these lands currently support about 3,500 jobs and generate over $200 million annually. The federal government collects between $65 million and $90 million in royalty payments each year, with half returning to California and the remainder going to the U.S. Treasury.
This decision follows the completion of a supplemental environmental impact statement that examined the potential effects of future oil and gas leasing and development in the region. The BLM indicated the decision is consistent with Secretary’s Order 3418, which supports expanded development of energy resources on federal lands, aiming for efficient, affordable, and reliable energy projects that bolster domestic production.
The approval is anticipated to be favorable for oil industry proponents, particularly in Kern County, where energy production is a significant economic driver and employer. However, environmental advocates have criticized the decision, expressing concerns about potential expansion of drilling operations and increased greenhouse gas emissions. Cooper Kass, an attorney with the Climate Law Institute at the Center for Biological Diversity, stated that the administration is moving forward without fully considering the implications for public lands and warned of continued opposition.
The move represents a notable development in ongoing energy policy discussions between California and the federal government. California has previously pursued legal action against the federal government regarding energy operations, including efforts to revive pipelines connected to offshore oil activities near Santa Barbara. Environmental groups have also voiced concerns about other federal proposals that could potentially broaden future oil development along the California coast. The BLM's approval, however, marks a significant step for energy producers seeking access to federal lands in the state and supports the administration's broader goals for boosting domestic oil and gas production.