Two sources outlined the proposed moratorium, which will be announced on Wednesday.
The move follows a 60-day suspension of new drilling permits for US lands and waters announced last week and follows the new president’s campaign pledge to halt new drilling on federal lands and end the leasing of publicly owned energy reserves as part of his plan to address climate change.
The moratorium is intended to allow time for officials to review the impact of oil and gas drilling on the environment and climate.
Millions of Americans support halting fossil fuel leasing and permitting. We re in a #ClimateCrisis and can t afford one more acre of public land being committed to destructive fossil fuel development. â Taylor McKinnon, @centerforbiodiv
AP sources: Biden to pause oil and gas sales on public lands
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Biden broadens attack against oil and gas industry
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This is just the start. It will get worse, said Brook Simmons, president of the Petroleum Alliance of Oklahoma. Meanwhile, the laws of physics, chemistry and supply and demand remain in effect. Oil and natural gas prices are going up, and so will home heating bills, consumer prices and fuel costs.
Kathleen Sgamma, president of the Western Energy Alliance, which represents oil and gas drillers in Western states, said the expected executive order is intended to delay drilling on federal lands to the point where it is no longer viable. The environmental left is leading the agenda at the White House when it comes to energy and environment issues, she said, noting that the moratorium would be felt most acutely in Western states such as Utah, Wyoming and North Dakota. Biden lost all three states to former President Donald Trump.