A new report shows that of nearly 21 million acres of federal public land has been leased by the oil and gas industry, nearly half sits idle.
Millions of acres are unused according to the Center for Western Priorities which stated that of 20.9 million lased to oil and gas explorers, 9.9 million is not explored. The figures could be used to show the industry isn’t using as much public land as opponents argue, or that the industry isn’t taking advantage of its full leases.
The Center’s report came after President Biden ordered an indefinite halt on new oil and gas leases according to the Carlsbad Current Argus.
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