"Today's decision demonstrates how flawed the preliminary injunction issued in June 2021 was, and that Interior must quickly take action to reform the federal fossil fuel program," said one environmental lawyer.Climate justice advocates on Wednesday applauded a federal appeals court decision striking down a 2021 ruling which had blocked the Biden administration's moratorium on oil and gas drilling lease sales—and paved the way for theby Judge Patrick E. Higginbotham of the U.S.
The Wilderness Society called the ruling"encouraging news" as scientists warn fossil fuel extraction must end swiftly in order to avoid the worst effects of the climate crisis. In June 2021, U.S. District Judge Terry A. Doughty, who was appointed by former Republican President Donald Trump,that Congress had to approve the leasing moratorium and that the pause carried"a substantial threat of irreparable injury" to states where fossil fuel drilling takes place.
"We are in a climate emergency and cannot afford any new leasing that will further entrench the fossil fuel industry's hold on our country's energy future."