Sorry, Joe: Federal Judge Says NO to This Part of Biden’s Agenda
Finally, a federal official has put a stop to part of Team Joe’s agenda.
A federal judge in Louisiana ordered the Biden administration to resume regular sales of oil and gas leases. This has forced to abandon a part of it’s “green” climate change policy.
This reversed a January 27 executive order, which paused new oil and gas leases on public lands. It was done so Team Biden could review leasing policy, including the contributions to climate change.
That’s their official story. But it’s really a weak excuse to hurt the oil and gas industry. And to promote “green” energy sources, like solar and wind. Never mind that they can’t provide enough reliable energy for our country.
In a preliminary ruling issued Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty granted the request of Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and 12 other Republican-led states. They filed a court challenge, and ordered the administration to hold quarterly lease sales nationwide. The sales will continue, at least until the case is decided.
This ruling affects over 1,000 new leases on federal lands since fiscal 2019. They’re located in Wyoming, Montana, Nevada and Colorado. That’s according to data from the Bureau of Land Management.
The order in the Western District of Louisiana is not a final ruling on the case. But it does indicate Doughty expects the states to eventually prevail.
President Donald Trump appointed Judge Doughty to the federal bench. He ruled that federal laws compel the administration to hold regular lease sales for oil and gas rights on public lands. And only Congress can change the laws to make a pause legal. Doughty said the administration overstepped its constitutional powers with the executive order.
He added that the public interest weighs in favor of blocking the administration’s pause. And the sooner, the better. That’s because of the losses in state funding that would result from lost bonus payments from lease sales.
Doughty wrote in his ruling:
“Millions and possibly billions of dollars are at stake. Local government funding, jobs for plaintiff state workers, and funds for the restoration of Louisiana’s coastline are at stake.”
Team Biden looks like it will comply with the ruling. In a statement Wednesday, Interior spokesperson Melissa Schwartz said the department was “reviewing the judge’s opinion and will comply with the decision.”
It’s a small victory, but still a win for those of us who believe in the rule of law and the Constitution. And for the freedom to develop the best energy sources for our country.
