The Trump administration has revealed first-quarter earnings from the oil and gas industry, boasting that the president’s ‘drill, baby, drill’ agenda is producing a high payout, benefiting oil-producing states.
Increasing oil and gas production has been a top priority for Donald Trump, who campaigned heavily on the issue and signed an executive order on American Energy during his first day on the job.
The Department of Interior announced on Thursday that over $39 million was generated from oil and gas lease sales during the first quarter of the year.
The announcement boasted that the revenues are in line with the administration’s ‘focus on unleashing domestic energy production, supporting job growth, and reducing reliance on foreign resources through efficient, streamlined permitting and leasing processes.’
The revenue comes from 34 newly leased land areas, or parcels, in Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Nevada. The parcels totaled over 25,000 acres of land.
The funds will be distributed between the federal government and the states with leases that produce the oil and gas.
‘This quarter’s lease sales demonstrate Interior’s unwavering commitment to fostering American Energy Dominance, and we are grateful to those who produce energy on federal lands,’ Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a press release.
‘By building on the commonsense, pro-growth policies of the Trump administration, we’re ensuring public lands are being used to their fullest potential to support national security, economic strength and livelihood of the American people.’
The Department of Interior announced that oil and gas sales totaled over $39 million for the first quarter of 2025
Donald Trump frequently referenced his ‘drill, baby, drill’ agenda on the campaign trail and signed an executive order on his first day eliminating climate protections and bolstering the oil and gas industry
Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said that the earnings represent the administration’s commitment to fostering American Energy Dominance
Oil and gas leases are set for 10 years and the federal government receives a 16.67 percent royalty.
The Bureau of Land Management also announced it would be adding 15 more government leases in 2025.
The department stated that the recent revenue earnings are in line with Trump’s executive order titled, Unleashing American Energy.
The order overturned a slew of environmental reforms set forth by the Biden Administration and overturned the former president’s American Climate Corps., which was intended to conserve the country’s lands and waters.
Trump stated in the order that the previous administration touted ‘burdensome and ideologically motivated regulations’ that have ‘impeded the development’ of energy resources.
On Friday, the Department of Interior announced an update on the progress in offshore oil and gas production.
‘The Energy Dominance strategy unleashed unprecedented investment in American energy,’ Burgum said.
‘By cutting red tape, streamlining permitting, and ensuring regulatory certainty, we are unlocking the full potential of our offshore resources while maintaining the highest safety standards.’
The states receiving the payout for the production are Montana, North Dakota, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Nevada
An announcement from the Department of Interior praised the leadership of Burgum and Trump for the high earnings
Climate activists have previously warned of the risks to Trump’s agenda, citing the risks to the environment and surrounding wildlife that emissions from the gas industry can emit
The announcement stated that under Trump’s leadership, the department was ‘driving historic growth in offshore oil and gas production.’
In keeping with the administration’s goal, the department launched the Shenandoah semisubmersible floating production system, which is a marine vessel that is used for offshore oil and gas production in deep waters.
Trump’s emphasis on oil and gas production has received major backlash for environmental concerns.
‘Drilling projects operate around the clock generating pollution, fueling climate change, disrupting wildlife and damaging public lands that were set aside to benefit all people,’ the Wilderness Society said.
Emissions from the production can exacerbate climate change and spread pollutants, which can have health impacts on nearby communities.
Development can also disseminate wildlands, harm wildlife, and is potentially fatal for animals.
