Now if each of those signers enclosed a few hundred bucks for their congress critter it might have some effect.
Maybe.
Once they actually have the money, do they care?
Still, I think you’re onto something.
Suppose each signer put a couple bucks in an escrow account? Allow drilling and you get the money in escrow, don’t, and it reverts to the petitioners.
Probably illegal as all get-out, but with that kind of money on the table, I bet the laws could be changed on a voice vote on any given day congress is in session.