U.S. Department of Interior
U.S. Government: Agencies/Departments/Divisions | Federal Agencies
Recent News About U.S. Department of Interior
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The Department of the Interior has announced the availability of up to $43.5 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for small water storage projects aimed at creating new sources of water for communities in the West. Surface water and groundwater storage are critical tools for managing limited water supplies, which are increasingly strained by climate change. These projects aim to enhance water management flexibility, improve supply reliability, and bolster community resilience.
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Secretary Haaland Celebrates Major Accomplishment for Species Conservation, Highlights President’s Investing in America Agenda in Arizona
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The Biden-Harris administration announced the approval of the Maryland Offshore Wind Project, marking the nation's tenth commercial-scale offshore wind energy project approved under President Biden's leadership. This milestone brings the total approved capacity to over 15 gigawatts of clean energy from offshore wind projects, equivalent to half of the capacity needed to meet President Biden's goal of 30 gigawatts by 2030. The projects approved thus far are expected to power 5.25 million homes.
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Mesa, Ariz. — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland announced today that the Apache trout, Arizona’s state fish, will be removed from the federal list of endangered and threatened wildlife after more than five decades of recovery efforts. The collaborative conservation initiative involved federal, state, and Tribal partners and was supported by $5.1 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
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The Department of the Interior announced today that $76.4 million from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda will be allocated to Pennsylvania for the cleanup of orphaned oil and gas wells. This funding aims to plug approximately 550 wells over the next five years, creating union jobs, stimulating economic growth, and mitigating environmental and public health risks associated with methane leaks.
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The Department of the Interior has announced a $12 million investment through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to aid four Tribal Nations in cleaning up orphaned oil and gas wells on their lands. This initiative aims to support Tribal land rights, address legacy pollution, reduce methane leaks, and mitigate environmental hazards affecting Tribal communities. The funds will be used for plugging, remediating, or reclaiming orphaned wells, restoring soil and habitat in degraded areas, decommissioning infrastructure, identifying undocumented wells, and establishing...
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In a significant move to bolster clean energy initiatives, the Biden-Harris administration has announced an offshore wind energy lease sale off southern Oregon. The Department of the Interior revealed that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will auction two areas on October 15, 2024. These areas have the potential to generate over 3.1 gigawatts of renewable energy, enough to power approximately one million homes.
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The Department of the Interior announced today the availability of over $55 million in funding through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda. This initiative aims to enhance water supply resilience in Western communities affected by drought and climate change. The funding is sourced from the Inflation Reduction Act and annual appropriations.
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The Department of the Interior announced today that Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) Director Kevin M. Sligh will depart his position effective September 6, after serving in the role for the past two and a half years. Kathryn (Kati) E. Kovacs, who serves as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, will assume leadership of the bureau.
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Following an extensive public process, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland finalized the decision to retain protections for 28 million acres of public lands across Alaska. Many Alaska Native Tribes, Native Corporations, and Tribal entities have emphasized that these lands are crucial for protecting natural, cultural, and subsistence resources. This action responds to the previous administration's decision to end longstanding protections without adequate analysis or compliance with legal requirements.
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RALEIGH, N.C. — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Shannon Estenoz concluded a visit to North Carolina, highlighting new investments aimed at creating urban parks, trails, and upgrading existing park infrastructure.
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The Department of the Interior’s National Park Service released a report today revealing that visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2023 contributed a record $55.6 billion to the U.S. economy and supported 415,400 jobs.
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Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland concluded a multi-day visit to Washington and Alaska, emphasizing the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to honoring its trust and treaty responsibilities to Tribal Nations. The visit underscored support for Indian Country through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
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STACYVILLE, Maine — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Shannon Estenoz concluded a multi-day visit to Maine this weekend, focusing on conservation and preservation efforts through the National Park Service.
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WASHINGTON — In another step by the Biden-Harris administration to support the growing momentum across America for a clean energy economy, the Department of the Interior today announced the execution of the nation’s first floating offshore wind energy research lease. The lease area covers less than 15,000 acres located 28 nautical miles offshore Maine on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf and could allow for the deployment of up to 12 floating offshore wind turbines capable of generating up to 144 megawatts of renewable energy, as well as many good-paying jobs in local...
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President Joe Biden has established the Springfield 1908 Race Riot National Monument as the newest addition to America's national park system. This marks the eighth national park site added during the Biden-Harris administration. The monument aims to preserve historic objects associated with a racially motivated riot in Springfield, Illinois, in 1908, which contributed to significant civil rights advancements, including the formation of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
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Following the completion of the fifth offshore wind lease sale held during the Biden-Harris administration, the Department of the Interior announced results from the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management’s wind energy auction for two lease areas offshore Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia. The sale resulted in two provisional winners and $92.65 million in winning bids.
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The Department of the Interior has announced the allocation of $775 million to 21 states for the cleanup of orphaned oil and gas wells. This funding is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which aims to address legacy pollution, create jobs, and mitigate environmental risks. Over $1 billion has already been distributed under this initiative.
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The Department of the Interior has announced the establishment of the Willamette Valley Conservation Area in Oregon, marking it as the 572nd unit of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service-managed National Wildlife Refuge System. The new 600-acre parcel aims to provide essential protected habitat for threatened and endangered species. This initiative is the fifth new unit established under Secretary Deb Haaland’s leadership and the 15th conservation area in the Refuge System.
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ALBUQUERQUE — Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Attorney General Merrick B. Garland visited New Mexico today to highlight the Biden-Harris administration's efforts in addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking crises in Indian Country. The leaders were briefed by representatives of both Departments at the headquarters of the Interior Department’s Missing and Murdered Unit (MMU) and held a listening session with the Eight Northern Pueblos, which include Nambé, Ohkay Owingeh, Picuris, Pojoaque, San Ildefonso, Santa Clara, Taos,...