![]() ![]() Onshore, of the more than 26 million acres under lease to the oil and gas industry, nearly 13.9 million (or 53%) of those acres are unused and non-producing. ![]() The oil and gas industry has stockpiled millions of acres of leases on public lands and waters. Multiple bills in Congress have been introduced in recent years to reform the outdated program, including those to better ensure the public is not shut out of land management and leasing decisions to address the mounting cleanup and remediation costs of orphan wells scattered across the country and to provide a fair return to taxpayers for the use of their resources. Irresponsible leasing of public lands and waters impacts communities’ access to clean air, clean water, and outdoor recreation carves up important wildlife habitat and threatens cultural and sacred sites. Fossil fuel extraction on public lands accounts for nearly a quarter of all U.S. The President’s action will provide a chance to review the federal oil and gas program to ensure that it serves the public interest and to restore balance on America’s public lands and waters to benefit current and future generations. ![]() The order does not restrict energy activities on private or state lands, or lands that the United States holds in trust or restricted status for Tribes or individual Indians. The targeted pause does not impact existing operations or permits for valid, existing leases, which are continuing to be reviewed and approved. The Executive Order will direct the Department of the Interior to pause new oil and natural gas leasing on public lands and offshore waters, concurrent with a comprehensive review of the federal oil and gas program. In implementing the Executive Order, the Department of the Interior will engage diverse stakeholders across the country, as well as conduct formal consultation with Tribes in recognition of the U.S. President Joe Biden will sign an Executive Order today that will help restore balance on public lands and waters, create jobs, and provide a path to align the management of America’s public lands and waters with our nation’s climate, conservation, and clean energy goals. ![]()
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