Utah Senator Fights For Return Of Gas Leases

Senator Bob Bennett, R-Utah, says he’ll fight to get natural gas leases back for Utah.

The parcels were offered at BLM auction in December. Tim DeChristopher disrupted the auction with phony bids, for which he now faces criminal charges. A judge issued a restraining order against the auction, and then Secretary of the Interior Richard Salazar withdrew the parcels.

Now, Bennett has put a hold on David J. Hayes, the man the Obama administration wants for the number two position at the Department of Interior. The Senate may not approve Hayes over Bennett’s hold.

“The royalties on those leases could be worth hundreds-of-millions of dollars to the state,” Bennett says.

Tim DeChristopher says the leases need to be stopped. “We’re so behind on climate change. The energy industry has got everything it wants. We’re in a desperate situation, and we need to cut way back on fossil fuels,” he said.