Western States Won't Lose Out on Millions in Energy Payments

Stateline: Western states no longer have to worry about losing millions in energy royalties due to the high cost of the new tax package.

The $1.5 trillion price tag of the law triggers automatic spending cuts on a number of government programs. That includes cutting off millions in royalty payments to states that have oil, coal and gas development on the federal lands within their borders.

But shortly before leaving for the holidays, Congress voted to suspend those cuts, ensuring the payments would reach states.

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