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The Governor's Office and Governor's Office of Economic Development are working closely with local stakeholders and policymakers as well as the federal government in preparing for the eventual development of oil shale and/or tar sands in Utah. The Governor's Office is also monitoring closely the "research, development and demonstration (RD&D)" lease of the White River oil shale mine on federal lands in Eastern Utah. Recently, the environmental assessment for the RD&D lease has been completed by the Bureau of Land Management and a 60-acre lease has been issued to the Oil Shale Exploration Company (OSEC). As more data becomes available from research and development projects, the State will work with stakeholders to formulate responsible development policies. On a national level, a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for commercial leasing of oil shale is being developed, and a draft PEIS is anticipated from BLM in 2008.
Oil Shale and Tar Sands Facts
It is estimated that the U.S. reserves of oil shale are 1.6 trillion barrels, with Utah holding roughly 320 billion barrels alone. For tar sands, the U.S. estimate for measured reserves is 22.6 billion barrels, with 11 billion barrels of measured reserves in Utah. Utah is currently supporting additional research at the Utah Heavy Oil Center. This research includes investigations into the nature, quantity, and characteristics of oil shale, tar sands, and heavy oil fuels. Moreover, the research will address technologies that may be emerging.
Oil Shale and Tar Sands Advisory Group
The Governor has formed a stakeholder-based advisory panel to review the issues associated with shale and sands development and to make recommendations for moving forward with the utilization of this unique and abundant resource. The group meets every two months to consider reports from various interests and has completed an opportunities report that was presented to Governor Huntsman. The report is posted to this website.
Unconventional Fuels Task Force
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPACT) mandated that a group of states containing unconventional fuels (oil shale, tar sands, coal for conversion to liquids, and heavy hydrocarbons) gather with representatives of the U.S. Departments of Energy, Defense, and Interior along with EPA to make recommendations to the President for further steps that may be taken to endorse additional steps to encourage the development and use of fuels not now being commercially produced at this time. Local groups are also involved in the group. A preliminary report was sent to the President in September, 2006 and a final report was pro. The Energy Advisor has been integrally involved with this group, having hosted its meeting in SLC, and is now the Co-Chair along with another unconventional fuels state.
Other Links
Utah Heavy Oil Center
Unconventional Fuels Task Force Report