The Department of the Interior took swift steps to fulfill President Biden’s campaign commitment to block oil and gas drilling on public land, freezing these leases for the next 60 days.
An order signed Wednesday by acting secretary Scott de la Vega on Wednesday prohibits the department from carrying out any new lease or drilling permits. It also blocks any major new mining action.
Biden’s climate plan calls for “a ban on new oil and gas permits on public land and water,” a promise made by every Democratic candidate in the primaries after the idea was first proposed by the senator. Elizabeth Warren
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The 60-day calendar pauses other actions in the Interior, including promotions for department staff or the transfer of public land to states.
Biden has appointed a representative. Deb Haaland
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Biden’s climate plan calls for putting the United States on a path to carbon neutrality by 2050, an effort that will require reducing the use of fossil fuels.
“It would move from the oil industry, yes,” Biden said in an October debate with the former President Trump
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“It is a great statement because the oil industry pollutes significantly. … Over time, it must be replaced by renewable energy. “