"With the nationwide offshore drilling program expiring at the end of June, oil companies and climate activists face uncertainty over the future of leasing"
"The Interior Department confirmed Wednesday that it will not hold three oil and gas lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Alaska that had been scheduled to take place, taking millions of acres off the auction block.
The decision, which comes as U.S. gas prices have reached record highs, effectively ends the possibility of the federal government holding a lease sale in coastal waters this year. The Biden administration is poised to let the nationwide offshore drilling program expire next month without a new plan in place.
While President Biden has spoken in recent weeks about the need to supply oil and gas to Europe so those nations can stop importing energy from Russia in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, the move would mark a victory for climate activists intent on curbing U.S. fossil fuel leasing."
Anna Phillips reports for the Washington Post May 11, 2022.
SEE ALSO:
"Offshore Move Highlights Biden’s Mixed Message On Oil" (E&E News)
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