A controversial executive action from the administration of President Joe Biden that restricted some oil and gas activity on federal land was set to expire on Sunday, as authority over oil and gas permits and other approvals was returned to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and its local field offices.

On Jan. 20, acting Interior secretary Scott de la Vega suspended the authority of sub-agencies within the Department like the BLM to make needed approvals for oil and gas operations such as permits to drill, tie into pipelines and rights of way need to transport oil and natural gas.

The order meant such decisions were to be made at the cabinet-level – effectively slowing the process and restricting the ability of field offices to work directly with local operators.

The order was set for 60 days, and an Interior spokesperson confirmed to the Current-Argus on Tuesday that it would not be renewed.

Biden himself also enacted an executive order to place a temporary but indefinite halt on new oil and gas leases on federal land.

But existing leases still need frequent approvals for operations, to connect to pipelines for transportation, begin drilling or adjust equipment for safety needs.

Read full article: https://www.currentargus.com/news/