“Drill, baby, drill” is the mantra of President Donald Trump’s administration, and it is already paying dividends, according to the administration.
Oil and gas lease sales on public lands in the few months since Trump took office has already netted the government more than $39 million, the Department of the Interior announced on Friday.
“The Department of the Interior today announced it generated over $39 million in total receipts from oil and gas lease sales held in the first quarter of 2025 – underscoring the Department’s continued commitment to responsible energy development on public lands and American Energy Dominance. In line with policies championed under the Trump administration, these revenues reflect an ongoing focus on unleashing domestic energy production, supporting job growth, and reducing reliance on foreign resources through efficient, streamlined permitting and leasing processes,” it said in a press release.
“The Bureau of Land Management leased 34 parcels totaling 25,038 acres for $39,007,609 in total receipts for its first quarter of fiscal year 2025 oil and gas lease sales. The combined bonus bids and rentals from the leases will be distributed between the federal government and the states where the parcels are located. The BLM held oil and gas lease sales in Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Wyoming and Nevada,” it said.
“This quarter’s lease sales demonstrate Interior’s unwavering commitment to fostering American Energy Dominance, and we are grateful to those who produce energy on federal lands,” Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said. “By building on the commonsense, pro-growth policies of the Trump administration, we’re ensuring public lands are being used to their fullest potential to support national security, economic strength and livelihood of the American people.”
“Oil and gas leases support domestic energy production and American energy independence, while contributing to the nation’s economic and military security. Consistent with Executive Order 14154, ‘Unleashing American Energy,’ BLM’s lease sales help meet the energy needs of U.S. citizens and solidify the nation as a global energy leader long into the future,” the press release said.
“Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal oil and gas resources. BLM ensures oil and gas development meets the requirements set forth by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and other applicable legal authorities,” the department said.
“Oil and gas leases are awarded for a term of 10 years and as long thereafter as there is production of oil and gas in paying quantities. The federal government receives a royalty of 16.67 percent of the value of production. Information on current and upcoming BLM leases is available through the National Fluid Lease Sale System. The BLM will hold 15 more oil and gas lease sales in 2025,” it added.
On his first day in the White House, January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14154, which was titled “Unleashing American Energy” and was designed to “meet the energy needs of U.S. citizens and solidify the nation as a global energy leader long into the future.”
“America is blessed with an abundance of energy and natural resources that have historically powered our Nation’s economic prosperity. In recent years, burdensome and ideologically motivated regulations have impeded the development of these resources, limited the generation of reliable and affordable electricity, reduced job creation, and inflicted high energy costs upon our citizens. These high energy costs devastate American consumers by driving up the cost of transportation, heating, utilities, farming, and manufacturing, while weakening our national security,” the executive order said.
“It is thus in the national interest to unleash America’s affordable and reliable energy and natural resources. This will restore American prosperity—including for those men and women who have been forgotten by our economy in recent years. It will also rebuild our Nation’s economic and military security, which will deliver peace through strength,” it said.