US accelerates oil and gas land parcel review for federal leasing

Interior Department announced on Tuesday that the Trump administration would reduce the time required to review land parcels for oil and natural gas development on federal lands by half. The new process will take six months. Why it's Important

The decision to streamline the leasing process for oil and gas is in line with President Donald Trump’s energy dominance plan, which seeks to increase fossil fuel supplies domestically, reduce fuel costs, and boost national security. KEY QUOTE

Adam Suess said that this policy would put the United States on the fast track to Energy Dominance. It would open up more federal land for development and reduce review times by half. "This policy will send a clear signal that the United States are serious about creating jobs, lowering energy costs and putting American Energy first," he added. CONTEXT

This policy change is part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to speed up approvals for energy projects on federal land. The Interior Department's Bureau of Land Management said the parcel reviews, which consider whether oil and gas leasing is aligned with regional land use plans, will be conducted at the same time as congressionally-mandated environmental reviews.

Environmental groups have expressed concern about the accelerated energy permitting process on federal land. They claim that this policy may put corporate interests ahead of public health and environment protection. Reporting by Nichola Grroom Editing Rod Nickel

(source: Reuters)