Jumping up almost 46% from 2002, Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton announced Tuesday that 36 states received more than $1 billion during 2003 as part of their share of royalty revenues collected by the Department’s Minerals Management Service (MMS). In 2002, the MMS doled out $753 million.

“Responsible energy development on public lands and offshore areas contribute greatly to states and local governments,” Norton said. “The money enables local governments to fund important projects for the betterment of communities and the lives of Americans.”

The nearly $1.1 billion was distributed through December of 2003. It represents the states’ cumulative share of revenues collected from mineral production (including oil, natural gas and coal) on federal lands located within their borders, and from federal offshore oil and gas tracts adjacent to their shores.

“In many cases states share their revenues with counties, which apply the money to meet needs like infrastructure improvements and school funding,” MMS Director Johnnie Burton said.

Leading the pack yet again, Wyoming led all states by receiving more than $503 million. New Mexico came in second, receiving more than $318 million, followed by: Colorado with $62.7 million; Utah with more than $54.4 million; Louisiana with $31.5 million; Montana at $26.9 million; and California with more than $25.3 million.

The lowest payout to an eligible state was Georgia, which received $54. North Carolina followed by collecting $118, while Virginia gained $2,099. A full list is available at www.mms.gov.

The MMS noted that for the majority of onshore federal lands, states receive 50% of the revenues while the other 50% goes to various funds of the U.S. Treasury, including the Department of the Interior Reclamation Fund. Alaska receives a 90% share as prescribed by the Alaska Statehood Act.

In addition, coastal states with producing federal offshore tracts adjacent to their seaward boundaries receive 27% of those mineral royalties. Remaining offshore revenues collected by the MMS are deposited in various accounts of the U.S. Treasury, with the majority of those revenues going to the General Fund.

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