U.S. to Resume Oil, Gas Drilling on Public Land Despite Biden Campaign Pledge

The plan calls for the government to lease fewer acres for drilling than initially proposed, charge steeper royalties to oil and gas companies, and assess the climate impact of developing the acreage.

The proposal was quickly denounced by several environmental groups, with one calling it “a reckless failure of climate leadership.” Oil industry groups praised the move but said it did not go far enough.

The announcement by the Interior Department, made late Friday before a holiday weekend, is the latest move to reform the federal oil and gas leasing program since Biden took office in January 2021. The administration has faced ongoing pressure to address high energy prices driven by the economic rebound from the pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.