Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has directed state agencies to use the tools in their toolbox to challenge the Biden administration’s actions that threaten the oil and natural gas industry.

Texas royalties

Abbott last week issued state Executive Order GA-33 that he said is designed to protect the nation’s largest energy state from what he said is federal overreach. 

Since taking office last month, President Biden has issued a flurry of directives, including some centered on ways to combat climate change. 

Last week an order directed the Department of Interior to pause oil and gas leasing on federal onshore and offshore acreage, pending a review. 

Abbott said “more and greater threats to the Texas energy sector seem imminent as President Biden embraces Green New Deal Policies.”

On his...