** Biden admin's defense of Trump-era projects highlights complex path towards progress
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Thursday, June 3, 2021
Caribou in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve | Bureau of Land Management ([link removed])

In its first months, the Biden administration has embarked on a bold course to reform the broken and outdated system for drilling on our public lands and ensure extractive projects undergo comprehensive reviews that take into account impacts on local communities and our climate. The Interior Department has enacted a temporary pause ([link removed]) on issuing new oil and gas leases, and Secretary Deb Haaland recently issued an executive order suspending oil leases ([link removed]) in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Recently, though, the administration has also taken action to uphold several controversial Trump-era drilling and mining projects ([link removed]) , including a massive drilling project in the Alaskan Arctic ([link removed]) , a land swap paving the way for an Arizona copper mine ([link removed]) in sacred Apache territory, and drilling leases on the doorstep of Dinosaur National Monument ([link removed]) . The moves underscore the administration's complicated task of complying with laws and judicial precedent, while simultaneously seeking to reform a system that has long favored drilling and mining on public lands over conservation and tribal rights.

Going forward, the Biden administration has proposed increasing funding ([link removed]) to advance renewable energy development on public lands and boost resources for Native American tribes to manage natural resources. However, the administration's recent actions to defend extractive Trump-era projects shows that significant reform will take time, and that progress is not always a straight line.
Quick hits


** Biden aims to stop Arctic drilling, but a Trump-era law could foil his plans
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New York Times ([link removed])


** Bill Gates company to build advanced nuclear at soon-to-be retired Wyoming coal plant
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Associated Press ([link removed])


** Idaho law authorizing killing of 90% of state's wolves sparks petition for Endangered Species Act protections
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Idaho Statesman ([link removed])


** Opinion: New uranium mining claims in Bears Ears region put Indigenous communities at risk
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Arizona Republic ([link removed])


** In court, Biden administration argues land swap allowing copper mine in sacred Apache land should proceed
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Phoenix New Times ([link removed])


** Oil lobby, which fought cybersecurity regulations for years, continues to push for subsidies after pipeline attack
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Salon ([link removed])


** Opinion: Broken federal oil leasing system in dire need of new path forward
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Colorado Newsline ([link removed])
Quote of the day
President Joe Biden has committed to the cause of environmental justice. For me, success on environmental justice is restoring Bears Ears and Grand Staircase, and it is cleaning up abandoned uranium mines.”
—Tommy Rock, Arizona Republic ([link removed])
Picture this


** @BLMNational ([link removed])
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2021 marks 75th anniversary of the Bureau of Land Management stewarding #publiclands ([link removed]) | @BLMOregon ([link removed]) 's Rogue River, Steve Roelof

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