Amodei: BLM hampering energy development in Nevada

IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Brian Baluta, 202-225-6155
March 8, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Congressman Mark Amodei (NV-2) today took issue with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) decision to reduce the size of an upcoming oil and gas lease in deference to the local sage grouse population in the Elko and Ely areas.

BLM cut the total acreage involved nearly in half from 133,000 down to 72,000. This follows a recent BLM decision to delay the China Mountain wind energy project pending revision of a sage grouse management plan.

Congressman Amdoei: "The sage grouse are not threatened by energy projects or mining operations, which comprise less than one percent of Nevada's land area. Such delays needlessly halt conventional and renewable energy projects that can create jobs and power the growth of Nevada's economy.

"These actions by BLM -- in anticipation of the bird's potential designation as an endangered species -- ignore the true threat to its habitat, which is catastrophic wildfire. By undermining multi-use energy development instead of focusing on the wildfire threat, BLM could do serious damage to economic development efforts across the Silver State."

# # #