An industry trade group is pledging legal action to force the Biden administration to hold quarterly oil and gas leases, but legal observers say the federal government’s expected moratorium on such sales stands on solid legal ground.
The Interior Department on Jan. 20 temporarily halted oil and gas leasing activity on federal lands and waters for 60 days, a move widely expected to be a prelude to a long-term moratorium set to be unveiled next week as part of President Joe Biden’s climate plan.
Industry groups and legal observers expect the administration to do that in part by conducting extended ...