DEVELOPING... a Trump-appointed federal judge in Louisiana has just blocked the Biden administration's halt on new oil, gas, and coal drilling leases. The ruling will take effect immediately, nationwide, allowing these leases to move forward.

One of Biden's first acts as president was to order the drilling pause. And that's huge — fossil fuel extraction on public lands generates a QUARTER of America's greenhouse gas emissions.

Oil and gas companies are expected to move quickly from here. The judge's order is likely to be challenged, but in the meantime we need to be campaigning hard to organize grassroots opposition to new leasing.

We're asking for your help. Earlier this month, we started our Summer Membership Drive, and a group of donors pledged to triple match every contribution through the end of the month to run environmental campaigns just like this one.

The absolute best thing you can do right now is this: Renew your LCV membership. Right now, all it takes is $5.

Friend — LCV has already been following these drilling leases closely. The executive order had always been temporary, pending a top-to-bottom review at the Interior Department, led by Deb Haaland.

Since the executive order in January, the fossil fuel industry poured resources into legal strategies, as well as PR and lobbying efforts — all to plant a narrative that this hurts job growth.

Even if the environmental movement can win on legal grounds, if Big Oil's lies go unanswered — if these industry groups are successful at pressuring lawmakers — it's going to be back to business as usual. It's up to us to fight like hell right now and show the American people the truth: For the sake of our climate, public lands, communities, and taxpayers, we must have a just and equitable transition away from fossil fuel development on our public lands and waters.

We're asking for your help, friend. If everyone reading this email pitched in — we'd blow through our $100,000 membership drive goal in minutes. So we're asking:

Please, renew your expired LCV membership today.

We can win this fight — but it's only going to happen if we all show up in moments that matter. This is one of those moments. Thanks for your support.

Adam, Brooke, Casey, ChiQuita, Jim, Mike, Brent, and Vinnie
LCV Rapid Response Team