Royalties for Drilling on Public Lands to Increase NYT: Science By: Coral Davenport 12 April 2024 at 15:27 For the first time since 1920, the government has raised the rates that companies pay. The fossil fuel industry says it will hurt the economy. ยฉ Jae C. Hong/Associated PressPumpjacks operate at the Kern River Oil Field in Bakersfield, Calif.