WASHINGTON POST • January 25, 2021
President Biden is poised to impose a moratorium on new federal oil, gas and coal leasing Wednesday.. The move will deliver on one of Biden’s boldest climate campaign pledges but will encounter stiff resistance from the fossil fuel industry. The White House has prepared documents that would halt new oil and gas auctions on federal lands and waters for one year and coal leasing for three years. The moratorium would not affect existing leases, meaning drilling would continue on public land in the West as well as in the Gulf of Mexico. So far, activists are pleased with Biden’s quick climate actions.