The American Petroleum Institute is incensed that Ken Salazar, Secretary of the Interior, has removed 60 federal leases from development in Utah, after protests by environmentalists and others that they undermined key areas of the state. Here is what Jack Gerard, API President, had to say:

That Secretary Salazar is removing 60 federal leases from development is just another in a series of actions this administration has taken to delay or thwart oil and natural gas exploration in areas where its development has been designated, and where lease sales have been carefully planned.

Yet Mr Gerard’s arguments that removing leases from development will thwart natural gas exploration comes at an awkward time.