Biden finally approved the opening up of more than 320,000km2 tooil and gasexploration in the Gulf of Mexico. The announcement follows a court decision to reject the government’s moratorium in the region.
Biden backs down on climate
In January 2021, US President Joe Biden announced a moratorium on new oil and gas drilling on federal lands. But from June 2021, things change. It’s the federal judge in Louisiana, appointed by former President Donald Trump, who is forcing the administration to get congressional approval.
The Home Office then sought to overturn the court’s decision, pleading “the growing impact [des activités pétro-gazières] on climate and communities”. Despite this challenge, Biden was finally forced to approve the auction of 320,000km2 in the Gulf of Mexico.
During the pandemic, oil and gas producers in the Gulf of Mexico consolidated at a frenetic pace. The sale will involve 1.1 billion barrels of oil and 125 billionm3 of gas.
Award scheduled for autumn 2021
The Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will issue the final notice of sale. The scheduled date is September 2021, followed by an auction in the autumn. Surprisingly, the document assures us that it takes into account elements of the recent United Nations IPCC report.
In particular, he assessed the global warming taking place in all regions of the world as a result of human activity. However, BOEM asserts that this report does not provide sufficient grounds for modifying the environmental impact statement.
Environmental groups disappointed
While environmental groups welcomed the US government’s appeal of the decision, disappointment is high. EarthJustice sued BOEM and the Minister of the Interior Des Haaland. One of the lawyers, Brettny Hardy, explains:
“This sale is deeply disappointing. The Biden administration has pandered to the oil industry through its campaign of misinformation and political pressure. Ignoring the growing climate emergency we face”
Joe Biden’s decision reflects his difficulties in implementing his policies, in particular his determination to make the climate his priority. Different institutions have different ambitions, influenced by different players in the sector.
