Nation’s drilling approvals increase despite Biden climate pledge

FILE - In this April 24, 2015, file photo, pumpjacks work in a field near Lovington, N.M. The Biden administration has approved thousands of drilling permits since taking office despite a campaign pledge to end fracking on federal land. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel, File)

 

While President Biden has targeted the oil and gas industry with more drilling restrictions, the approvals of companies to drill on U.S. public lands is also on pace in 2021 to reach the highest level since George W. Bush was president.

The Interior Department gave approval to nearly 2,500 permits in the first half of the year reported the Associated Press and many of them were in New Mexico.

Click here for AP story.