President Joe Biden drew mostly praise Wednesday for placing a moratorium on new oil and gas exploration on public lands and supporting an initiative to see at least 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters protected for nature by 2030.
The order directs the Secretary of the Interior to pause on entering into new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or offshore waters to the extent possible, launch a rigorous review of all existing leasing and permitting practices related to fossil fuel development on public lands and waters, and identify steps that can be taken to double renewable energy production from offshore wind by 2030. The order does not restrict energy activities on lands that the United States holds in trust for Tribes. The Secretary of the Interior will continue to consult with Tribes regarding the development and management of renewable and conventional energy resources, in conformance with the U.S. government’s trust responsibilities.
The executive order regarding "30 by 30" also "launches a process for stakeholder engagement from agricultural and forest landowners, fishermen, Tribes, States, Territories, local officials, and others to identify strategies that will result in broad participation."
“This is a crucial step to stopping the wildlife extinction crisis, which threatens the future of all life on our planet,” said Kierán Suckling, executive director at the Center for Biological Diversity. “We’ve got to preserve the most biologically rich ecosystems to have any hope of bringing nature back from the brink. Human activity got us to this heartbreaking point, and we’re grateful the Biden administration will address this global crisis by working to protect 30% of the nation’s lands and oceans by 2030.”
Species have been hurtling towards extinct in recent years. Back in July the International Union for the Conservation of Nature released an assessment that found that one in four mammal species was threatened with extinction. Overall, the report said 32,441 species could face extinction if current trends aren't reversed.
In December, more than 135 groups urged the president-elect to issue an executive order declaring the loss of species to be a national emergency.
Numbers cited by the Center for Biological Diversity said there are less than 400 North Atlantic right whales left, just 14 red wolves known in the wild in North Carolina, and likely around 10 vaquita porpoises in Mexico. "In the Southeast extinction looms for 28 percent of the region’s fishes, 48 percent of crayfishes and nearly 70 percent of freshwater mussels," the group added.
Biden's order to place a moratorium on energy development on public lands drew praise from the National Parks Conservation Association and other conservation groups.
“President Biden’s pause on selling off our public lands to the oil industry, along with the bold goal to protect our air, lands and waters, are necessary steps to help our parks recover and build them back stronger," said NPCA President and CEO Theresa Pierno. "The Executive Orders get us one important step closer to better protecting our parks and public lands, cutting greenhouse gas pollution,and helping transition to clean energy in a just and equitable manner. These actions will help combat the climate crisis and provide a safer future for local communities and our national parks."
According to NPCA, "more than 26 million acres of federal land was offered to oil and gas corporations since 2016 – a combined area larger than the entire state of Kentucky."
Athan Manuel, the Sierra Club's director of Public Lands Protection, pointed out that in the past year "the Trump Administration leased nearly a million acres for oil and gas and gave the green light for coal mine expansions on public lands in Montana, Utah, Colorado, and North Dakota. We look forward to working with the Biden administration to secure lasting solutions that address the climate impacts of coal, oil and gas leasing and put in place long-overdue protections for communities, taxpayers, and the climate."
But Biden's moves were slammed by Independent Women's Voice, an advocacy group for women.
“If President Biden’s true thought was about creating jobs as was suggested during today’s press conference, his actions sure don’t reflect it,” said Charlotte Whelan, policy analyst at Independent Women’s Voice. “Today’s executive order will have devastating effects on both jobs and the fight against climate change. While we all support the goal of reducing emissions to help keep our planet healthy, onerous regulation on essential energy sources—without reliable or affordable alternatives—will raise energy costs and kill jobs for Americans during this difficult economic climate.
“Yes, there are health and environmental impacts to greenhouse gas emissions,” added Whelan. “But the order fails to recognize the economic impacts of taking away reliable energy sources for American families and businesses.”
Comments
Bottom line, energy is going to be more expensive and the ones that will feel it the most are the ones that can least afford it.
Bottom line, no one will accept the fiat declrations of someone who supported the Insurrectionist-in-Chief.
Bottom line, you nailed it, Rick.
"energy is going to be more expensive "
Energy and everything that goes with it. The poor who spend a far larger percentage of their income on necessities like food transportation, heat & housing will be hurt the most while the wealthy will barely notice (other than their private jet fuel costs will likely be much more expensive).
And many of the people who bash subsidies for the petroleum industry will see nothing wrong with subsidies for wind and solar and vice versa.
Subsidies and costs that we can ill afford given we are now $28 Trillion dollars in debt, $222,000 for every taxpayer.
Perhaps if we gave everyone wanting to become a U.S. citizen a bill upon arrival that would help with our immigration problem.
Any body that bashes the petroluem industy for subsidies doesn't have a clue what they are talking about. And yes, isn't so ironic that those that trumpet their empathy for the 99% don't give a hoot about how they will be affected by these policy changes.
Okay, wild places, I still doubt the impact will get as bad as when Nixon/Agnew pumped and dumped the economy so severely that all construction came to a halt and they had to freeze wages just to buy time to let some of the funny money drain away, as bad as when Neil Bush and his friends orchestrated the S&L appraisal/mortgage scam, as bad as what George H. W. inherited from the combination of both little Neil's S&L scam and the damage done when Ronald Raygun took us so deeply into debt to wink, wink, defeat already defeated Soviets, any worse than when Cheney/Bush spent so much on their "elective" war to try to grab oil and then had to cover their tracks by orchestrating a mortgage scam even bigger than brother Neil's S&L appraisal/mortgage scam, or any worse than the absolutely incredible shambles in which the Trump Administration has just left us.
But, if it really turns out any worse than that, post a note to remind me and I'll send both you and Rick fivers to tide you over.
Hump, you certainly have a knack for fiction. But what is the relevance of what the Bushes, Reagan, Cheney or Trump did or did not do when it comes to evaluating Biden's policies? What ever mistakes past Presidents did or didn't make, it won't change the plight of those losing their jobs, paying $4 a gal for gas or turning the thermostates to 55 because they can't afford to heat their homes.
What? What? After all that talk, apparently years' worth, about personal responsibility, disdain for the nanny state, let every individual fend for themselves, nothing is worse than mob rule, and don't rely on taxing the rich for big government giveaway programs; has the worm turned and you're now feeling empathetic for the little guy?
How am I supposed to debate anything so slippery. There's nothing stable enough for me to grab onto. It all just turns into smoke at the touch. Too thin, too slippery, too twisted, too vaporous, and too thin. I give up. Bye, Felicia.