The measure, added to the Interior Appropriations spending bill, says no permits can be issued for oil shale development on public lands while the studies are proceeding, a move Cannon said was a "major step backward."

"Cowed by the environmental lobby, the majority [Democrats] today voted to put the plug back into one of the most promising and viable new sources of oil we have in the entire nation - the oil shale we have right here in Utah," Cannon said after an amendment he offered to limit the ban to Colorado failed.

Cannon said during the House floor debate that oil shale in the West holds the potential of having triple the amount of crude oil in Saudi Arabia and that it's no secret environmentalists don't want oil shale production to succeed.

"At a time when the price of consumer goods and services are soaring, in large part because of the cost of energy resources, why would we intentionally hinder our ability to develop our promising resource," he said.

Rep. Mark Udall, D-Colo., however, said that he was concerned about the fast-paced approval of oil-shale leases and development of a boom-and-bust economy.

"Oil shale has potential as an energy source, but Colorado's Western Slope has had experience with a rush to development that ended up hurting our region's economy," said Udall. "My legislation will ensure that oil shale is developed in a responsible way."

tburr@sltrib.com