[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 38 (Friday, February 27, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8983-8984]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4259]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
[LLWO-3200000 L13100000.PP0000 L.X.EM OSHL000.241A]
Potential for Oil Shale Development; Withdrawal of the Call for
Nominations--Oil Shale Research, Development, and Demonstration (R, D,
and D) Program and Request for Public Comment
AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Interior.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: On January 15, 2009, the BLM published in the Federal Register
a notice entitled ``Potential for Oil Shale Development; Call for
Nominations--Oil Shale Research, Development, and Demonstration (R, D,
and D) Program'' (see 74 FR 2611). The new Administration intends to
review and reconsider certain aspects of the current solicitation,
including lease acreage and the rules that would govern conversion of
an R, D, and D lease to a commercial lease, particularly those related
to royalty rates. To ensure a fair return to the public for potential
commercial development of these Federal resources, the Administration
has determined that further information is needed. Accordingly, the BLM
is seeking public comment on the terms and conditions of any future oil
shale R, D, and D leases that it may issue. The BLM therefore withdraws
the January 15, 2009, solicitation of the nomination of parcels to be
leased for R, D, and D of oil shale recovery technologies in Colorado,
Utah, and Wyoming.
DATES: The withdrawal is effective February 27, 2009. Please submit
comments on the terms and conditions of any future oil shale R, D, and
D leases no later than May 28, 2009 to assure that they are considered.
ADDRESSES: Please hand-deliver written comments to Nick Douglas, Suite
807, 1620 L Street, NW., Washington, DC. You may send comments via
overnight delivery to this same address. Mail U.S.P.S. written comments
to BLM (Attn: Nick Douglas), Minerals and Realty Management, Mail Stop:
LS 807, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20240. You may also send
comments electronically to Nick Douglas at [email protected].
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nick Douglas, BLM, Washington Office,
202-557-3377.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The BLM is seeking comment from industry,
state and local governments, and citizens on
[[Page 8984]]
the terms and conditions of a second round of oil shale R, D, and D
leasing. The BLM has determined that more information is necessary
prior to offering additional Federal lands for R, D and D leasing. This
withdrawal is not intended to halt the oil shale R, D and D program,
which is ongoing with six R, D and D leases in Colorado and Utah.
Please specifically comment on the terms and conditions of any future
R, D, and D leases that the BLM may issue, including, but not limited
to, comments on lease size, lease duration, royalty rate after
conversion to a commercial lease, environmental and economic diligence,
and whether there is a need for additional preference right lease
acreage. As a result of public comments received, the BLM may revise
the lease form originally referenced in the Federal Register notice
published on January 15, 2009 [74 FR 2611].
Before including your address, phone number, e-mail address, or
other personal identifying information in your comment, you should be
aware that your entire comment--including your personal identifying
information--may be made publicly available at any time. While you can
ask us in your comment to withhold your personal identifying
information from public review, we cannot guarantee that we will be
able to do so.
Dated: February 24, 2009.
Ron Wenker,
Acting Director, Bureau of Land Management.
[FR Doc. E9-4259 Filed 2-26-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-84-P