Drilling on Federal Lands Update - May 14

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Interior official ducks leasing pause questions . E&E News .
A Biden offshore energy official yesterday declined to disclose just how long the administration's freeze on leasing might last, but said she expected oil and gas production to continue on federal lands for the foreseeable future. At a hearing of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Director Amanda Lefton said a comprehensive review of the way that the Interior Department manages oil and gas on public lands and waters was ongoing, but she stressed that fossil fuel production was not going to be abruptly halted by the administration.

Louisiana gov urges feds to resume offshore leases in months . The Telegraph .
Louisiana’s governor urged the federal government on Thursday to resume offshore oil and gas leasing within months. The head of the federal agency that runs offshore lease sales didn't say whether sales will resume. It’s important to support the oil and gas industry even as the nation moves to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, said Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat who has set ambitious climate goals in a state where petroleum fuels the economy and underwrites coastal restoration.

Governor Edwards and Senator Cassidy request end on oil and gas lease ban . WGNO .
As the moratorium on offshore oil and gas leases lingers, Governor John Bel Edwards is calling on President Biden to lift the ban by summer. Governor Edwards wants the Biden administration to know a prolonged drilling halt would be devastating to Louisiana’s economy. Edwards testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. He’s calling on Biden to take a balanced approach to climate change and oil and gas exploration. On Capitol Hill, Edwards joined forces with republican U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy. Both are concerned about the President’s pause on oil and gas leases.