Ten AGs Opposed Federal Leasing for Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling

Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh led a coalition of 10 attorneys general in comments urging the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to reconsider its plans to lease areas of the outer continental shelf for new oil and gas drilling. The coalition explained that, although BOEM cut back the number of lease sales from the 47 that were planned by the Trump administration to 11, any new oil and gas leasing will get in the way of reaching net zero emissions by 2050, and thus should be avoided. The letter argued that the agency should also minimize the environmental impact of any leases and not hold more sales than necessary.

• Documents: CommentsMD Press Release
• Document Type: Comment Letters Press Releases/Statements
• States: Connecticut Delaware Maine Maryland Massachusetts New Jersey New York Oregon Rhode Island Washington
• Agencies: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Department of the Interior
• Issues: Clean Air & Climate Climate Cross-Cutting & Administrative Energy & Energy Efficiency Fossil Fuels Greenhouse Gas Emissions National Environmental Policy Act Oceans and Water Policy Offshore Drilling Oil and Gas Public Lands & Wildlife Public Lands Leasing Renewable/Zero-Emissions Energy Water Wind Power
• Era: Biden Administration
• Action Type: Rulemaking & Other Federal Administrative Proceedings