Biden officials are cracking down on power plant pollution–they'll take steps to curb mercury from smokestacks, reversing a 2020 Trump admin policy, @dino_grandoni reports.https://t.co/fHPvNjxQUh
— Jennifer Jacobs (@JenniferJJacobs) January 31, 2022
Continuing the not-so-great American tradition where Repubs break things, and Democrats come in to fix the mess as best as can be done… literally!
After decades, some of America’s most toxic sites will finally get cleaned up https://t.co/dYTMp7nRNk
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) December 17, 2021
Biden administration kills Antofagasta's Minnesota copper project https://t.co/vV74rHSgKn pic.twitter.com/33ZZbeE6kY
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 27, 2022
Analysis: Biden gets climate win with court loss on Gulf of Mexico oil leases https://t.co/DrlyqmTaOJ pic.twitter.com/F9LB49j8nf
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 29, 2022
A U.S. judge’s surprise decision this week to annul the Biden administration’s first Gulf of Mexico oil lease auction because of its climate change impact has raised questions about the future of the nation’s federal drilling program – and played directly into the president’s hand.
President Joe Biden, a Democrat, made a campaign pledge to end federal oil and gas drilling to fight climate change, and he quickly announced a suspension of all new lease sales pending a broad review of drilling’s impact on global warming after taking office. Some 25% of U.S. oil and gas production comes from federal lands and waters.
But this administration was later forced into the sale after several drilling states successfully sued in federal court in Louisiana. They argued that U.S. law requires the federal government to hold auctions on a regular basis to enhance energy independence and generate revenue…
This week’s ruling, from a judge in the District of Columbia who was appointed by former President Barack Obama, came after a challenge by environmental group Earthjustice. The judge vacated the auction entirely, saying the Interior Department failed to properly account for its impact on global warming.
Biden’s Interior Department must now do what it originally intended: take a fresh look at environmental and climate impacts of drilling. It has not yet said yet whether it will suspend other planned drilling auctions pending review, or how long the review will take…
Chevron CEO Michael Wirth, whose company was one of the high bidders in the Gulf of Mexico sale, said Chevron was reviewing the decision.
“We’re disappointed because these lease sales have been conducted successfully in the Gulf of Mexico for decades now and have resulted in us being one of the largest leaseholders out there with over 240 leases,” he said.
One’s heart just breaks at the thought of this man’s suffering, no? (No.)
Up to $43.7 million is headed to New Mexico to clean up abandoned oil & gas wells, protecting our environment & providing good-paying jobs.
My thanks to @SenatorLujan & @RepTeresaLF for their sponsorship of this measure and to @MartinHeinrich & @Rep_Stansbury for their support!
— Michelle Lujan Grisham (@GovMLG) January 31, 2022
U.S. considering hike to royalty rate for drillers at onshore auctions https://t.co/KU04TQOMfw pic.twitter.com/0iIzeojgFj
— Reuters (@Reuters) February 1, 2022
Late Night Open Thread: Environmental StewardshipPost + Comments (28)