The Biden administration did not ban oil and gas drilling on public lands. Instead, it halted new leases for oil and gas drilling on public lands while it conducts “a comprehensive review of the the federal oil and gas program.” The Interior Department clarified that “the targeted pause does not impact existing operations or permits for valid, existing leases.”
According to the department, the oil and gas industry currently holds drilling rights on 26 million acres of public land and 12 million acres of public waters. Most (53%) of the onshore acreage and 77% of the offshore acreage is “unused and non-producing,” with the oil and gas industry “sitting on” 7,700 approved permits. Tens of millions of acres offered for development during the Trump administration attracted no buyers.
Fossil fuel extracted from public lands accounts for 25% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, the department said.