Udall Welcomes Interior Department's Plan to Promote Oil Shale Research, Development
Mark Udall issued the following statement on the Bureau of Land Management’s publication today of a plan to not rush unproven energy development and instead to promote further research of oil shale and tar sand resources on federal lands in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming:
"I am glad the Interior Department is taking measured steps to encourage research and development of our oil shale resources. With water being one of our most precious commodities in the West, I have concerns about the potential impacts of commercial oil shale development. Nonetheless, I look forward to seeing this technology explored further. We need to pursue an all-of-the-above energy policy. The Interior Department’s decision today ensures that we will not be out over the front of our skis with untested technology."
Udall lauded the Interior Department’s decision earlier this year to support continued research and development of oil-shale technology before pursuing commercial-scale oil shale development on public lands.