Utah, counties get $131M in royalties

Utah and its counties received $131 million in royalties from oil, gas and mineral production on public lands during fiscal 2009, which ended Sept. 30, according to the U.S. Minerals Management Service.

It was part of $10.68 billion distributed nationally in such royalties, the agency said on Tuesday.

"In these tough economic conditions, these funds are a critical source of revenue for states, Indian nations and local governments," Interior Secretary Ken Salazar said.

"The billions of dollars being disbursed will support much-needed projects such as land and water conservation efforts around the United States, power and water projects in the West, critical infrastructure improvements, and funding for education," he said.

Among the royalties that went to Utah were $52.5 million for processed natural gas, $31.6 million for oil, $15 million for unprocessed natural gas and $10.3 million for coal.

Of all the royalties nationally, nearly $2 billion went directly to states and eligible counties. Another $5.74 billion went to the U.S. Treasury; $449 million went to 34 Indian tribes; $1.45 million went to the Reclamation Fund for water projects; and $899 million went to the Land & Water Conservation Fund.

— Lee Davidson