Former President Donald Trump spent four years trying to make the US more energy independent. One of the steps he took was to authorize drilling on public lands. The Biden administration has moved to finish that.
On April 16, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland announced the revocation of Trump’s executive orders that promoted fossil fuel development on public lands. She stated that the Biden government is taking a”whole-of-government approach to tackle climate change.” She called the orders by her predecessors “inconsistent” with the US government’s commitment to protecting water, wildlife, land, and public health. Haaland also announced the creation of a Climate Task Force.
We must address the urgency of the climate crisis. Today I signed a Secretarial Order announcing the creation of a new Climate Task Force that prioritizes action on climate change and pursues environmental justice. We at @interior have a mandate to act. pic.twitter.com/u3zwmxw8zV
— Secretary Deb Haaland (@SecDebHaaland) April 16, 2021
Republicans believe the Biden government’s policies will cause an increase in gas prices. That would be bad for the nation at a time when the price of oil is already increasing as the US begins return to normal after the pandemic. Supply and demand, coupled with OPEC’s decision to maintain oil production low is contributing to Americans paying more at the pump. Even though there isn’t data to show whether this reversal will also increase prices, it’s something which concerns many folks.
