The Department of the Interior announced it will waive the requirement for the Bureau of Land Management to prepare an environmental impact statement for over 3,000 oil and gas leases across seven Western states. This move is in line with Executive Order 14154 and Secretary's Order 3418, titled “Unleashing American Energy,” aimed at reducing regulatory barriers for energy companies and speeding up domestic energy production.
The Bureau of Land Management will halt the preparation of an environmental impact statement for leasing decisions covering 3.5 million acres in Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. The Bureau is currently exploring other options for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act for these decisions.
A statement from the department emphasized its commitment to the responsible development of energy on public lands. The Notice of Rescission will be officially published in the Federal Register.
