In the face of our accelerating climate emergency, a huge win for the environment and the planet occurred this past Tuesday.
The Biden administration suspended oil drilling leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
As reported in the New York Times, this unravels "a signature achievement of the Trump presidency" and delivers "on a promise by President Biden to protect the fragile Alaskan tundra from fossil fuel extraction.”
This follows an April 15th ruling by the Federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissing the Trump Administration’s appeal to reinstate his 2017 executive order which attempted to undo President Obama’s oil drilling ban.
A small number of oil leases were sold following Trump’s executive order. The Biden action suspends them for two years pending a thorough environmental assessment — which should result in the leases being cancelled.
Earthjustice, representing a coalition of advocacy groups that challenged Trump's order, said "We welcome today's decision and its confirmation of President Obama's legacy of ocean and climate protection."
Read the Biden decision in the New York Times here.
Read more about the Federal Appeals Court ruling here.
Earthjustice's slogan is "Because the Earth needs a good lawyer." She does. And thankfully, she has just that. Earthjustice has helped with both of my books. They are an invaluable nonprofit. Please support their essential work by donating here. I do.
Photo credit: Danielle Brigida/flickr CC