Washington (CNN) The Trump administration on Monday started a leasing process for oil and gas drilling sites off the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, something environmental groups feel is a potential last-minute giveaway to the energy industry before the Biden administration takes over. It is unclear if the Bureau of Land Management, which organizes the auction and leasing, would be able to complete the process in the two remaining months of the Trump administration. But it may allow the Trump administration to leave its thumbprint on the process. In previous years under Trump administration management, the leasing process in Alaska has taken between four and nine months. After a 30-day window for submissions, the officials will schedule a sale date for the lease, the Bureau of Land Management said Monday.

Source: CNN November 16, 2020 18:22 UTC