A federal judge in Washington has invalidated a Gulf of Mexico oil lease sale over concerns it will harm the climate by producing more planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions. Louisiana Oil and Gas Association President Mike Moncla says its disappointing Judge Rudolph Contreras supports the Biden Administration’s energy policy.
“Since he’s taken office, the price of oil, natural gas, and the price of gasoline have all doubled,” said Moncla.
When President Biden took office, he banned new oil and gas drilling on federally owned lands and waters. A Louisiana judge struck down the moratorium and in November a record one-point-seven million acres of drilling leases were sold.
Moncla says he’s asked the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office if the federal judge’s decision in Washington can be appealed, in the meantime canceling the November lease sale will result in more dependence on foreign oil.
“You’ve seen Biden call and beg OPEC to increase production instead of having policy of his own domestically, it’s frustrating,” said Moncla.
Several environmental groups filed a lawsuit to invalidate the record lease sale in November. They said it was a huge climate bomb. But Moncla says revenues from offshore oil and gas production help improve Louisiana’s environment.
“230-million plus dollars over the last few years to rebuild our coast comes from revenues generated offshore,” said Moncla.
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