Biden Admin Cancels Major Oil and Gas Lease Sales Amid Soaring Gas Prices

Contact Your Elected Officials
The Epoch Times Header

The Biden administration has canceled the sales of three major offshore oil leases in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of Alaska, blocking the opportunity to drill for oil in over 1 million acres amid soaring gas prices in the United States.

The Interior Department said that due to “lack of industry interest in leasing in the area,” it will “not move forward” with the proposed Cook Inlet oil and gas lease sale 258 in Alaska, in a statement to news outlets.

“The Department also will not move forward with lease sales 259 and 261 in the Gulf of Mexico region, as a result of delays due to factors including conflicting court rulings that impacted work on these proposed lease sales.”

Among the voices opposing the cancellations was former Vice President Mike Pence.

“Gas Prices are the Highest Ever Recorded and the Biden administration cancels an Alaska oil and gas lease sale? This has got to stop. Unleash American Energy Joe!” Pence said on Twitter.

Federal law requires the Interior Department to adhere to a five-year leasing plan for auctioning offshore leases. The current five-year offshore drilling program is due to expire at the end of June; the department had until then to complete the lease sales. Although federal law requires the Biden administration to prepare a replacement plan before it can hold new oil and gas lease sales, it has yet to release any such plan.

A total of 11 lease sales had been planned under the current five-year program, of which seven have been held successfully.

In January, a federal judge in Washington blocked the sale of offshore oil and gas drilling leases across some 80 million acres of the Gulf of Mexico—lease 257—ruling that the environmental review that underpinned the sale was flawed. The Biden administration did not appeal the ruling. The auction of lease 257 held in November by the Interior Department was the largest offshore oil and gas lease auction in U.S. history.

The Biden administration’s latest move to cancel offshore oil leases comes as gas prices in the United States hit another record high of $4.404 on May 11, according to AAA, just a day after hitting an earlier high of $4.374, while crude oil continues to remain above $100 per barrel.

By Gabrielle Stephenson

Read Full Article on TheEpochTimes.com

The Epoch Times
The Epoch Timeshttps://www.theepochtimes.com/
Tired of biased news? The Epoch Times is truthful, factual news that other media outlets don't report. No spin. No agenda. Just honest journalism like it used to be.

Trump’s Proposal For NATO To Stop Buying Russian Oil & Start Tariffing China Is Unrealistic

Trump proposed on social media that NATO stop buying Russian oil and start tariffing China 50-100% as part of his plan for ending the Ukrainian Conflict.

The Choices We Make

Death and disagreement are inevitable. Love and hate are choices. We will all die. Before we do, what choices will we make?

Elon Musk Speaks at Unite the Kingdom Rally

Tommy Robinson held rally, with Elon Musk appearing virtually, calling attention to leftist politicians who allow foreign immigrants to invade England.

Doxed Democrats Are Getting Fired Left and Left

Not a misprint because a title of “left and...

Hold Up, Feds, Without Federalism, There Is No USA

Federalism is essential to governing the U.S., yet the federal government is undermining it by bribing states to implement unnecessary federal programs.

ABC Halts ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ Indefinitely After Charlie Kirk Remarks

ABC has indefinitely pulled “Jimmy Kimmel Live” after the host’s remarks about Charlie Kirk’s assassination drew criticism from the FCC chairman.

ABC Reporter Apologizes for Calling Texts From Kirk’s Alleged Murderer ‘Very Touching’

ABC reporter apologized after describing text messages between Charlie Kirk’s alleged murderer and the man’s boyfriend as “very touching.”

Federal Reserve Cuts Interest Rates for First Time in 2025

The Federal Reserve cut interest rates for the first time this year following its two-day policy meeting that concluded on Sept. 17.

Driver Rams Car Into FBI Pittsburgh Gate in Potential Act of Terror, Official Says

Driver crashes car into FBI Pittsburgh office gate in a suspected targeted attack the agency says may be an act of terror against the bureau.

Rubio Says US Visa Revocations Underway After Charlie Kirk Death Celebrations

SoS Marco Rubio said foreign nationals who made celebratory comments over Charlie Kirk’s assassination will have their U.S. visas revoked.

Trump Supports Designating Antifa a Terrorist Organization

President Trump said he would support designating the antifa movement a terrorist organization in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination last week.

US Conducts Strike on Another Drug Boat From Venezuela: Trump

Three people were killed in a U.S. strike on a Venezuelan drug boat, President Donald Trump announced on Sept. 15.

Trump Signs Memo Targeting Direct-to-Consumer Pharmaceutical Advertising

President Trump signed a memo to ensure drug ads give fair, balanced, and complete information to protect and inform American consumers.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories

MAGA Business Central