"Federal land managers will release proposed rules next month to change the pricing structure for oil, natural gas and coal leases on public land.

The proposed rules are the key part of an effort the Interior Department has taken in recent years to better ensure that it is getting fair prices for federal energy resources.

It comes after watchdog agencies, lawmakers and outside groups have criticized Interior for not properly accounting for environmental harm in its leasing programs and giving away energy resources for bargain prices."

Timothy Cama reports for The Hill December 19, 2014. [2]