{"id":375956,"date":"2026-06-26T15:52:54","date_gmt":"2026-06-26T15:52:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/375956\/"},"modified":"2026-06-26T15:52:54","modified_gmt":"2026-06-26T15:52:54","slug":"new-california-oil-and-gas-field-leases-okd-after-years-of-delays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/375956\/","title":{"rendered":"New California oil and gas field leases OK’d after years of delays"},"content":{"rendered":"

A major federal decision has cleared the way for new oil and gas leasing on public lands<\/a> across Central California, reopening energy development opportunities in eight counties despite fierce opposition from the state.<\/p>\n

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) \u2014 an agency within the United States Department of the Interior \u2014 announced this week it has finalized updated management plans governing oil and gas leasing and development on federal lands within portions of Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara<\/a>, Tulare and Ventura counties.<\/p>\n

The decision allows the agency to restart oil and gas leasing within the Bakersfield Field Office region, ending a yearslong pause that stemmed from legal challenges and environmental reviews.<\/p>\n

A major federal decision has cleared the way for new oil and gas leasing on public lands across Central California.<\/p>\n

Federal officials said the move fulfills obligations under a 2022 settlement agreement and aligns with the Trump administration\u2019s push to increase domestic energy production<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The action covers a vast swath of federal land managed by the Bakersfield Field Office, which oversees roughly 400,000 acres of public land and about 1.2 million acres of federal mineral estate across Central California.<\/p>\n

Federal officials said energy activity tied to those lands supports approximately 3,500 jobs and generates more than $200 million annually. The agency also collects between $65 million and $90 million in royalty payments each year, with about half of that revenue flowing back to California and the remainder going to the US Treasury.<\/p>\n

Oil pumpjacks work the Midway-Sunset Field in Kern County outside of McKittrick, California. AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n

BLM says it has finalized updated management plans governing oil and gas leasing within portions of Ventura County. Getty Images<\/p>\n

The approval follows the completion of a supplemental environmental impact statement that examined the potential effects of future oil and gas leasing and development in the region.<\/p>\n

BLM officials said the decision is consistent with Secretary\u2019s Order 3418, which implements President Donald Trump\u2019s energy agenda and encourages expanded development of oil, natural gas, coal, critical minerals and other energy resources on federal lands.<\/p>\n

The order calls for energy projects to be developed in a manner that is efficient, affordable and reliable while supporting domestic production.<\/p>\n

Morro Bay near San Luis Obispo will soon see oil and gas leasing and development on some of its federal lands. Getty Images<\/p>\n

The move is expected to be welcomed by supporters of the oil industry, particularly in Kern County, where energy production remains a major economic driver and employer.<\/p>\n

But environmental advocates blasted the decision, warning it could lead to expanded drilling operations on public lands and increase greenhouse gas emissions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Trump administration is sprinting forward with its eyes closed to hand over a million acres of California\u2019s public lands to Big Oil. We\u2019ll fight this with everything we\u2019ve got,\u201d said Cooper Kass, an attorney with the Climate Law Institute at the Center for Biological Diversity<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a reckless decision that shows who\u2019s really calling the shots at the White House. From Ventura to the Bay Area, California\u2019s public lands have always been a refuge for people and wildlife. We\u2019ve got to protect these places and our communities from a government hellbent on lining this toxic industry\u2019s pockets.\u201d<\/p>\n

California sued the federal government over efforts to revive pipelines related to oil operations near Santa Barbara. Andy Johnstone for CA Post<\/p>\n

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The decision marks the latest flashpoint in an ongoing clash between California officials and the Trump administration over energy policy.<\/p>\n

Earlier this year, California sued the federal government over efforts to revive pipelines connected to offshore oil operations near Santa Barbara<\/a>. Environmental groups have also raised alarms about other federal proposals that could expand future oil development opportunities along California\u2019s coast.<\/p>\n

For now, however, the BLM\u2019s approval represents a significant victory for energy producers seeking access to federal lands in California and a key step forward in the administration\u2019s effort to boost domestic oil and gas production. <\/p>\n

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