​DENVER – Today, Western Energy Alliance and the Petroleum Association of Wyoming (PAW) filed a lawsuit challenging the Department of the Interior’s failure to hold oil and natural gas lease sales in the third quarter of 2022 as required under the Mineral Leasing Act. The associations filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Wyoming along with the State of Wyoming.
 
“The Mineral Leasing Act is clear: the Interior Secretary must hold at least quarterly lease sales in every state where there is interest, as reflected by nominations,” said Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Alliance. “Oil and natural gas companies have nominated millions of acres in Wyoming and across the West that have yet to be offered for sale. Not only has this administration held only one set of lease sales in its first two years, but has now signaled that there will be no sales until second quarter 2023, a full year later. Once a year does not equal ‘quarterly.’ Further, just before Thanksgiving the Interior Department released seven new policies that make it more difficult to lease and produce on public lands. The announcement came just days before the Administration gave the green light to Venezuelan development. Rather than buttressing up dictators, President Biden could tell his agencies to back off increasing red tape meant to suppress American production so that we can do more to reduce high energy prices for the country and the world.”

​DENVER – Western Energy Alliance will honor Chris Wright of Liberty Energy, Inc., with the Wildcatter of the Year award in recognition of his achievements in community service and business. Wright has demonstrated success as a data-driven, technology-focused energy entrepreneur and dedicated humanitarian who has educated policy and community leaders around the world on the benefits of energy. As the 37th recipient of the Wildcatter award, he will be formally celebrated by leaders in the oil and natural gas industry at the Wildcatter gala on Saturday, November 5th.
 
“The world today is in the depths of a man-made energy crisis, the impacts of which are felt by the poorest individuals. What sets Chris Wright apart is his unceasing love for people facing these challenges,” said Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Alliance. “Chris has dedicated his life to advocating on their behalf and has spent the past three decades building oil and natural gas companies to provide the resources humanity needs to thrive. He has demonstrated a commitment to meeting people on their own terms, including traveling to small villages around the world, to learn about their needs and hopes for bettering their lives. Inspired by their stories, he’s been a dedicated advocate who has given them a voice before business and government leaders in order to advance policies that will improve their lives. Chris was selected for this award by his peers because he has leveraged tremendous business success into humanitarian action with a truly global reach.”

• National monuments and other public lands benefit from the Great American Outdoors Act
• The $2.8 billion/year in conservation is funded almost exclusively by oil and natural gas production, yet Biden’s energy policies threaten future conservation dollars
• Proposed Thompson Divide withdrawal ignores balanced oil and natural gas development since the 1940s

 
DENVER – In response to President Biden designating Camp Hale as a national monument, Western Energy Alliance today called on him to end policies threatening future conservation funding. The Denver-based trade association cautioned that programs under the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA), which are funded almost exclusively by federal oil and natural gas, are at risk because of his policies and growing mismanagement by federal agencies. The Alliance also stressed the proposed land withdrawal around the Thompson Divide ignores the balanced oil and natural gas development in the area since the 1940s that has protected the land.
 
“Designating more national monuments like Camp Hale adds to the list of protected lands that the federal government struggles to fund and maintain,” said Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Alliance. “There is already a $22 billion backlog of conservation and infrastructure projects for protected lands, while costs continue to balloon because of government mismanagement. The bright spot is that GAOA provided secure funding for conservation derived almost exclusively from federal oil and natural gas production. On the other hand, Biden has been intent on eliminating federal oil and natural gas since day one of his presidency. It’s not clear the president is aware that oil and natural gas and conservation are directly linked. An attack on one is an attack on the other. Therefore, the president’s policies have created a double whammy that put the future of Camp Hale and other public lands at risk.” 

​DENVER -- Western Energy Alliance announced today Esther Wagner joined its staff as manager of government affairs with a focus on public lands, air and water quality, and wildlife policies. Wagner brings 19 years of government affairs and stakeholder relations experience including working for an industry trade association in Wyoming and as a senior policy advisory to a member of Congress.