The Biden administration aims to substantially curb new oil and natural gas drilling on public lands as it attempts to combat climate change and emphasize renewable fuels. The White House said it would resume selling leases to drill for oil and gas on federal lands, though the number of acres available declined dramatically and it…
Interior
Articles from Interior

Interior Punts Trump-Era Reforms to Oil, Natural Gas Royalty, Migratory Bird Rules
In the continued back-and-forth machinations to scuttle Trump-era rules, the Interior Department is axing regulations put in place last year, including rules that eliminated millions in revenue from fossil fuel extraction. In early January, the Trump administration finalized a makeover of Obama-era royalties reforms known as the 2020 Valuation Reform and Civil Penalty Rule. The…

Legal Battles Loom as Biden Order Pauses Federal Oil, Natural Gas Leasing
The U.S. oil and gas industry reacted with dismay and the first of perhaps multiple lawsuits Wednesday ahead of an executive order (EO) by President Biden directing the Department of the Interior (DOI) to pause new oil and natural gas leasing on federal lands and offshore waters. The EO published Wednesday afternoon follows a 60-day…
Trump Administration Reportedly Tabling Offshore Drilling Expansion Indefinitely
A proposal to expand offshore oil and natural gas drilling has been tabled indefinitely, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt reportedly said on Thursday.

Trump to Tap Acting Interior Chief Bernhardt to Succeed Zinke
President Trump said he plans to nominate David Bernhardt to lead the Department of Interior in an official capacity.
Energy Industry Supporter Bernhardt Reportedly Eyed to Replace Zinke at Interior
Department of Interior Deputy Secretary David Bernhardt is said to be on the short list to take over after embattled Interior chief Ryan Zinke, who is facing a litany of congressional investigations, told President Trump over the weekend that he is stepping down.
Trump Eyeing Several Oil, Gas Industry Backers to Replace Zinke at Interior
Department of Interior Deputy Secretary David Bernhardt is said to be on the short list to take over after embattled Interior chief Ryan Zinke, who is facing a litany of congressional investigations, told President Trump over the weekend that he is stepping down.

Federal Land Revenue Surges $400M in 2017, Boosted by Oil, Gas Production
Increased oil and natural gas production, as well as regulatory reform and other factors, led to a $400 million surge in economic output on federal lands during the first year of the Trump administration, according to a report by the Interior Department.
Increased Oil, Gas Production Boosts Interior Lands Revenue by $400M in 2017
Increased oil and natural gas production, as well as regulatory reform and other factors, led to a $400 million surge in economic output on federal lands during the first year of the Trump administration, according to a report by the Interior Department.
Interior Embracing Transparency, ‘Best Available Science’ in Rulemaking
The Interior Department has ordered its bureaus and offices to base its decisions “on the best available science,” and to make any scientific data, analyses and methodologies used for a rulemaking available to the public.