** Biden moves forward with comprehensive oil and gas review
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Wednesday, March 24, 2021
California oil and gas operation. Photo: Bob Wick, BLM ([link removed])
The Biden administration is moving forward with its comprehensive review ([link removed]) of federal oil and gas activities by hosting a virtual forum ([link removed]) on Thursday with a multitude of stakeholders representing labor, energy development, and environmental interests to discuss the future of the oil and gas leasing and permitting system.
The burning of oil, gas, and coal extracted from federally managed lands accounts for nearly a quarter ([link removed]) of U.S. carbon emissions. Oil and gas in particular represent the biggest chunk ([link removed]) of human-caused fossil fuel emissions following a drilling surge under former President Donald Trump.
Officials at the Interior Department say ([link removed]) that the federal oil and gas leasing program has historically failed to consider climate impacts and that irresponsible leasing practices threaten wildlife habitat as well as Native American cultural and sacred sites, and lock up public lands that could be used for recreation or conservation.
Last Friday, in an effort to underscore the administration's commitment to evaluate drilling and other extractive activities on public lands, the Interior department distributed an internal memo ([link removed]) alerting agency staff to the extension of careful review ([link removed]) by senior officials at the department for land sales and exchanges, coal leasing proposals, draft resource management plans, drilling permit extensions, and pleas for royalty relief while the comprehensive oil and gas leasing review is underway.
Quick hits
** Outdoor recreation industry encourages Biden administration to support locally-led conservation efforts
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E&E News ([link removed])
** Why President Biden paused oil and gas leasing on public lands and offshore
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Associated Press ([link removed])
** Investigation shows Big Oil pushed school officials to send alarmist letters to Biden admin regarding leasing pause
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Salon ([link removed])
** BLM and BIA to select 1 of 4 options next month for drilling near Chaco despite strong opposition
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New Mexico Political Report ([link removed])
** Details emerge about lawmakers' opposition to Biden's pick for Interior deputy secretary nominee
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Washington Post ([link removed]) | E&E News (Interior) ([link removed]) | E&E News (Senate) ([link removed])
** Interior leadership will broaden its review of leasing and extractive activities
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E&E News ([link removed])
** Montana governor violated state hunting regulations after he shot & killed a collared wolf outside Yellowstone
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NPR ([link removed])
** U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service approves conservation easements on nearly 100,000 acres in Montana
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Flathead Beacon ([link removed])
Quote of the day
People from all over the world come to Yellowstone specifically to see these wolves. The fact that they can be killed so easily, right on the edge of the park in the state of Montana, for only a few dollars for a permit to trap a wolf – it makes no sense, either ecologically or economically."
—Jonathan Proctor ([link removed]) , Defenders of Wildlife
Picture this
** @Interior ([link removed])
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Paws up for the committed K-9 officers who protect people, public lands and wildlife across the US, including @USFWSRefuges ([link removed]) . Their dogged dedication to stopping crime, one sniff at a time, helps maintain public safety and support wildlife conservation! #NationalPuppyDay ([link removed])
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