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The Biden administration is temporarily pausing 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, 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, 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 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."
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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.”
