Resource Royalties Expansion
Fair payment for America’s resources returning billions to the people.
The Problem
Right now, corporations extracting oil, gas, timber, and minerals from U.S. public lands often pay outdated, minimal royalties.
• Oil & gas companies sometimes pay as little as 12.5%, compared to higher global standards.
• Loopholes and underreporting cost taxpayers $10–15 billion every year.
• Many communities near extraction sites see environmental costs but little financial return.
In short, public resources are being sold off cheaply, while private shareholders pocket the profits.
The Solution:
A Fair Royalty System
Freedom 2028 will modernize how America collects royalties on its shared resources.
Key elements:
Standardized Rates: Minimum royalty rates of 20% for oil and gas, 15% for timber, and 10% for hardrock minerals (up from the current $0 for many mining operations under the 1872 law).
Automated Audits: Digital reporting systems tied directly to production data to eliminate underreporting.
Local Reinvestment: At least 25% of collected royalties returned directly to the state and county where extraction occurs.
National Trust Fund: The rest goes into a publicly managed fund supporting housing, healthcare, and infrastructure.
What It Offers
Transparency: Public dashboard showing payments by company, resource, and location.
Fairness: Companies pay market-aligned rates for what they take.
Community Benefit: Local communities share directly in the profits.
Future-Proofing: Framework extends to emerging resources like rare earth minerals, lithium for batteries, and space-based extraction.
How Much It Saves and Generates
Metric Current With Freedom 2028
Annual royalties (oil & gas, timber, minerals) ~$12B ~$30–40B
Estimated lost to loopholes $10–15B $0–2B (with digital audits)
Total annual revenue potential ~$40–50B
That’s $25–35 billion more each year, enough to fund:
250,000 affordable housing units annually, or
Universal mental health services, or
Major grid modernization and clean energy investments.
Preparing for the Future
This isn’t just about today’s oil, gas, and timber.
It’s about ensuring America’s wealth in:
Rare earths for clean energy
Lithium for batteries
Space resources like lunar water or asteroid metals
Freedom 2028 ensures these resources serve all Americans, not just corporations.
Why It Matters
Protects public wealth from corporate exploitation
Strengthens local communities directly affected by extraction
Funds national priorities without raising taxes
Creates a transparent, future-ready system for managing America’s natural wealth