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Power on Public Lands: Comparing Federal Energy Revenue Sharing and Opportunities for Reform is a new Getches-Wilkinson Center report examining federal energy revenue-sharing policies and opportunities for legislative reform. For decades, oil and gas development on federal public lands has generated billions of dollars supporting state and local governments and important water infrastructure across the West. As renewable energy development on public lands becomes increasingly important to meeting the nation's energy and emissions-reduction goals, how can federal policies ensure that these projects deliver comparable economic and public benefits?

This new paper compares the long-established revenue-sharing framework for oil and gas development under the Mineral Leasing Act with the new framework established for renewable energy under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025. It analyzes key differences in how revenues are generated, distributed, and reinvested, and highlights shortcomings in the current renewable energy framework. The paper also proposes legislative reforms to increase state and local revenue sharing and establish a dedicated fund to support clean energy infrastructure and long-term transition needs. For policymakers, researchers, and other stakeholders interested in renewable energy development on federal public lands, this report provides an analysis of the evolving federal revenue-sharing framework and opportunities to better align renewable energy development with local economic benefits and long-term public investment.

Report author: Mallory Tope-Lewis, Colorado Law Student, Getches-Wilkinson Center Student Research Assistant

Read Power on Public Lands: Comparing Federal Energy Revenue Sharing and Opportunities for Reform