Biden administration to launch review of federal oil leasing program

Offshore staff

WASHINGTON, DC – The US Interior Department announced Tuesday it will launch its review of the federal oil and gas leasing program on March 25. The event is seen as a key step that will determine whether the Biden administration will permanently halt new leases on federal land and water, according to multiple online sources.

The review will kick off with a public forum on oil and gas leasing on federal land and water, with participants representing industry, environmental conservation and justice groups, labor and others, and commence an online comment period.

This input would inform an interim report to be released in early summer outlining next steps and recommendations on the future of the program and what can be done to reform how leases are managed, how much revenue should go to taxpayers and other issues.

In January, Biden signed an executive order pausing new oil and gas drilling leases on federal lands.

03/10/21