"The Biden administration is delaying a Trump administration rule that was expected to result in the oil and gas industry paying less money for drilling on public lands and waters.

The administration announced on Thursday that the rule, which was slated to go into effect next Tuesday, will now not become effective until April 16.

Interior will also start a 30-day comment period to allow for “additional engagement” on the rule.

“The Trump administration sought to allow corporations to pay less money for the oil and gas resources they extract from public lands, which deprives American taxpayers from a fair return and would result in lost tax revenue for state and local governments,” a department spokesperson said in a statement."

Rachel Frazin reports for The Hill February 11, 2021. [2]