USGS Touts Potential Oil and Gas Resources Beneath Public Lands in Updated Survey

Inside Climate News · By Jake Bolster · last updated June 18, 2025 – 3:34 PM

Environmentalists worry the report will be used to justify an increase in drilling without justifiable demand.

By Jake Bolster

The United States Geological Survey released a report on Wednesday showing vast quantities of undiscovered oil and gas resources beneath public lands. The analysis comes as Republicans in Congress try to sell up to 3.2 million acres for development.

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