Biden at Standoff With Gas-Rich West Over Leasing Halt

摘要

Western states and gas industry players say they are taking a big hit from the Biden administration's halt on federal oil and gas leasing.The escalating controversy suggests the administration will have an even bigger fight on its hands if it chooses to make the restrictions permanent in some form.Wyoming Republican Gov.Mark Gordon told the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee last week that a leasing moratorium"of any length"harms operators,adding that his state is taking a"hard body blow"due to the restrictions.This sentiment was echoed by industry representatives in the greater Rocky Mountain region,which houses several large tight gas plays and a great deal of federal land.Administration officials countered that the leasing halt is important because federal land management shouldn't be dominated by oil and gas concerns.