U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Jan. 6 announced several initiatives to reform the onshore oil and gas leasing program administered by the Bureau of Land Management on U.S. public lands.

The reforms generally raises the standards for approving oil and gas leases through a process that requires more environmental review and evaluation of projects proposed by oil and gas companies that want to drill for oil and gas in federal lands.

Also, more opportunities would now be provided for public participation in the process of awarding leases. That way, the number of protests filed against lease sales and litigation that sometimes arise after those decisions are made would be reduced according to the Obama administration.

“In a way, this will save time by ensuring that parcels of land offered [for leases] are not protested and tied up in litigation,” said Frank Quimby, a spokesman for the Interior department.

In identifying areas where new oil and gas leasing will occur, the Bureau of Land Management will continue to accept industry expressions of interest regarding where to offer leases, but will emphasize leasing in already developed areas and will plan carefully for leasing and development in new areas.

Salazar issued an order establishing a new Energy Reform Team to identify and implement important energy management reforms. The team will be led by Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Wilma Lewis.

“The Energy Reform Team will provide greater coordination and improved accountability to ensure the orderly, efficient, responsible and timely development of public resources critical for our national energy security,” he said.