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Utah Governor Gary Herbert discusses why he is pushing the federal government to return land so he can better develop the state’s resources.
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There is an uprising developing in the western states look how much land in those states is actually owned by the federal government all the states the Fed's.
Now those states want the land back joining us now is you talk governor Gary.
Governor I'd like -- that you.
Demanded the return of twenty million acres from the feds give it back to the state of Utah -- -- correction.
That's correct we want them to honor the promises that they were made to us when we became a state.
And that promise came was responsibilities for the state and responsibilities for the federal government.
One of the responsibilities was to take the property that was not privately owned of the time.
And dispose of it they've never disposal but hands.
Largest landowner and the state of -- not the governor.
But it's Bob -- the director of the BLM -- What do you if you get it back.
What do you wanna do this idea I'm I'm thinking and maybe -- two options -- -- All up you could drill off -- the shale oil let's underneath it what -- Canada.
Well there's probably a lot of opportunities and options are out there -- I can tell what we don't plan to do.
Is that destroy our national parks.
Star city have oil rigs that arches and and canyon lands -- -- beautiful and pristine areas.
We would protect the wilderness areas in the beautiful vistas and that is that we have.
But we all.
So understand there are areas that ought to be developed that need to be developed.
To access our natural resources -- particular energy you know we do have a lot of natural gas and oil and coal capability.
And we have opportunities for oil shale and oil -- development I guess something we'll help not only Utah's economy.
But America's energy future and so that we need to have more opportunities -- get access to -- Energy resources and help develop our economy I think.
Think -- there was there was a problem when this story was first reported because.
A lot of news outlets from around video of the beautiful national parks in Utah and then said you guys are gonna put drilling rigs in that obviously you're not gonna do that.
But some of the land that if you get it back.
Would be used I take it to get out those natural resources specifically shale oil that you've got under the state of Utah I think it's hundreds of millions of -- of what if I'm not mistaken.
Well in the eastern part are you Vuitton part of western Colorado and and southern Wyoming we have more potential for oil out of oil shale oil sands and all Saudi Arabia and parts of the Middle East.
So the potential is significant.
And if we really are serious about getting energy independent at least energy sustainable.
We have opportunities to develop these natural resources and ways -- not been done in the past so again while we're saying this is not some kind of cowboy rebellion here.
This is a practical need to reset the paradigm.
And reset the balance between state relationship confederate -- ships and say hey you promise to disposal land.
We go through so many hoops here.
The capital investment -- to access our.
Energy resources are leaving you -- and going to in -- private -- states like in North Dakota like an Oklahoma like its Texas.
And rather than spend seven years in going through.
Ad nauseam hoops and and regulations to finally get a billing -- as you -- drilling permit they're saying you know we don't need to put up for this will go to a private land state.
That hurts us economically it -- the country.
Economically -- be -- access some of our natural resources particularly energy.
Governor Gary public Republicans you talk facts are joining us so we do hear you loud and play -- thanks very much.
Thank you thank you.
