"A coalition of environmental groups on Wednesday sued the Biden administration over its approval of oil and gas lease sales in four Western states.

The lease sales in Montana, Nevada, North Dakota and Utah mark the first since the administration temporarily froze new lease sales on federal lands in January 2021. In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs argued the sales constitute a violation of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, under which the Interior Department has a responsibility to prevent “unnecessary or undue degradation” of public lands.

The plaintiffs projected that the sales, as well as another series of sales scheduled in Colorado, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Wyoming, will cost billions in harms to air, water, local wildlife and public health."

Zack Budryk reports for The Hill June 29, 2022. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Biden Administration Oil, Gas Auctions Kick Off With Thin Industry Response" (Reuters) [3]