Environmentalists celebrated the pause as a sign that Mr. Biden is serious about shutting down production of fossil fuels, the burning of which is the chief cause of global warming. Republicans and the oil industry criticized the pause as an example of government overreach that could damage the economy and displace thousands of oil and gas workers. Fossil fuel drilling on federal lands and waters and tribal land generated more than $8 billion in tax revenue last year, according to the Interior Department. Of that, $2.9 billion went to the federal government, $1.8 billion went to state and local governments, with the remainder spread among Native American tribes, restoration projects and other funds. A spokeswoman for the Interior Department, which manages federal oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters, said in a statement that the administration was reviewing Tuesday’s ruling and would comply with it.

Source: International New York Times June 16, 2021 00:45 UTC