The Department of the Interior’s Office of Natural Resources Revenue (ONRR) announced it has disbursed $14.61 billion in revenues from energy production on federal and tribal lands, as well as offshore areas, for fiscal year 2025. This figure marks the fifth-largest disbursement since 1982.
According to the department, these funds support public infrastructure, education, emergency services, conservation and reclamation projects, and historic preservation efforts across the United States.
The administration led by Donald J. Trump emphasized combating inflation and reducing energy costs. Officials stated that lower prices have allowed consumers to retain more money while still ensuring essential funding for states, tribes, and federal programs through ONRR’s distributions. The department attributed this year’s decrease in disbursements compared to last year mainly to a drop in commodity prices.
ONRR highlighted that its distributions were influenced by priorities set under Executive Order 14154, Unleashing American Energy. The order instructs federal agencies to remove regulatory barriers and promote responsible energy development on public lands. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act also played a role by lowering operational costs for businesses on public lands and encouraging domestic oil and gas production.
Disbursement highlights for fiscal year 2025 include:
- $5.01 billion sent to the U.S. Treasury
- $4.07 billion distributed among 34 states
- $2.98 billion allocated to the Reclamation Fund
- $1.05 billion directed to the Land and Water Conservation Fund
- $1 billion provided to tribes and individual Indian mineral owners
- $350 million granted to federal agencies
- $150 million given to the Historic Preservation Fund
The state share of $4.07 billion comes from revenue generated by mineral and energy production on federal land within state borders or offshore tracts adjacent to state shores.
New Mexico received the highest amount at $2.76 billion, followed by Wyoming with nearly $545 million, Louisiana with about $162 million, North Dakota with almost $115 million, Texas at roughly $100 million, Colorado at about $91 million, Utah at nearly $82 million, Mississippi with over $52 million, Alabama with close to $52 million, California at just over $39 million, Alaska with about $27 million, and Montana receiving around $27 million.
Funds sent directly to 33 federally recognized tribes and approximately 31,000 individual Indian mineral owners represent all revenues collected from energy activities on Indian lands. According to ONRR: “Tribes use these revenues to develop infrastructure, provide health care and education, and support other critical community development programs such as senior centers, public safety projects and youth initiatives.”
Since 1982, over $402 billion has been distributed in mineral leasing revenues by the Department of the Interior through ONRR processes that include collection and auditing of royalties from companies operating on federal lands or waters.
Additional data regarding fiscal year 2025 disbursements is available through the Natural Resources Revenue Data portal (https://revenuedata.doi.gov/).
