** Biden halts new drilling, mining permits on public lands for 60 days
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Friday, January 22, 2021
Oil rigs in California’s San Joaquin Valley | Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])
The Biden administration is temporarily pausing ([link removed]) new oil and gas leasing and permitting on public lands, as well as new mining approvals, as it assesses the damage left by the Trump administration. An order ([link removed]) , signed by Acting Interior Secretary Scott de la Vega, would prohibit a wide range of approvals for 60 days unless signed by a senior Interior official.
The action does not impact existing public lands drilling or mining operations, and oil companies are sitting on more than 12 million acres of idle leases and more than 5,600 approved ([link removed].) , but unused, drilling permits.
"For four years, the Trump administration cut legal corners and rushed through massive drilling and mining projects at the behest of corporations," said ([link removed]) Center for Western Priorities Policy Director Jesse Prentice-Dunn. "Now the Biden administration is rightfully attempting to take stock of the damage and make sure the agency is following the law, instead of rubber-stamping destructive projects that were in the pipeline."
Quick hits
** Restoring environmental rules rolled back by Trump could take years
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New York Times ([link removed])
** Tracking the unwinding of Trump's environmental destruction
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Washington Post ([link removed])
** Biden halts border wall construction, idling work crews
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Washington Post ([link removed])
** Trump administration a no-show as Supreme Court asks for arguments in coal export case
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S&P Global ([link removed])
** For tribal nations, restoring Bears Ears is just the beginning
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High Country News ([link removed])
** Haaland gets the last laugh on short-lived Trump Interior Twitter account
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Huffington Post ([link removed])
** Biden administration temporarily halts new drilling, mining permits on public lands
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Washington Post ([link removed]) | Reuters ([link removed]) | Associated Press ([link removed]) | The Hill ([link removed]) | Wyoming Public Media ([link removed]) | Casper Star-Tribune ([link removed]) | S&P Global
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Quote of the day
Now, under this administration, we can address the bigger picture and make sure that there’s no further desecration [of Bears Ears National Monument]. There’s no further looting. There’s no further negative effects from people visiting without being educated.”
—Carleton Bowekaty ([link removed]) , lieutenant governor of the Pueblo of Zuni
Picture this
** @Interior ([link removed])
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It’s always smart to plan in extra travel time when exploring @YellowstoneNPS ([link removed]) in #Wyoming ([link removed]) . Morning rush hour can really slow things down. Pic by Jacob W. Frank, National Park Service
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