DENVER – The Department of Interior’s announcement of proposed oil and gas lease sales – including on more than a half million acres in Wyoming – highlights the urgent need to reform this outdated program and transition this nation to a clean energy economy. The Biden administration announced the potential sales after a court order forced the administration to end its pause on oil and gas leasing. The department will accept public comments about the potential leases for 30 days. 

“We expect more from the Biden administration than to simply reissue former President Trump’s proposals for oil and gas development. We urge President Biden to honor the promises he made for balanced, responsible development on our public lands,” said Mary Greene, public lands attorney for the National Wildlife Federation. “It’s past time for the Department of Interior to release its long-awaited proposals for oil and gas reform, and for Congress to enact those initiatives. The American people deserve nothing less.”