Interior Secretary: No Plan ‘Right Now’ to Permanently Ban New Oil, Gas Leasing
WASHINGTON—U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said at a House committee hearing on June 23 that the Biden administration has no plan to permanently ban new oil and gas drilling on federal land. “Gas and oil production will continue well into the future,” Haaland said during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing. “I don’t think there […]
WASHINGTON—U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said at a House committee hearing on June 23 that the Biden administration has no plan to permanently ban new oil and gas drilling on federal land. “Gas and oil production will continue well into the future,” Haaland said during a House Natural Resources Committee hearing. “I don’t think there is a plan right now for a permanent ban.” Haaland’s comments came after a federal judge on June 15 blocked the Biden administration's temporary ban on new leases to drill for oil and gas on public lands and waters. The Biden administration in January suspended new oil and gas leasing and drilling for 60 days and ordered the Interior Department to conduct a “comprehensive review” of its leasing program. During the hearing, Haaland said that the review would be released “early summer.” “We will assess the fossil fuel programs at that time,” she said. President Joe Biden campaigned on ending the extraction of fossil fuels ...
