Biden Administration Boosts Public Lands Protections and Climate Action
The Biden administration has taken significant steps to protect public lands and combat climate change. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Department of the Interior have implemented several new rules and protections, while the President has announced a news initiative to tackle the climate crisis.
The BLM has blocked the Ambler road project and strengthened protections for 13 million acres of the Western Arctic in Alaska. Additionally, the Department of the Interior has expanded four National Wildlife Refuges to safeguard more critical wildlife habitat. In Colorado, a 20-year mineral withdrawal has been announced for the Thompson Divide, shielding it from drilling and mining.
The BLM has also released new rules to support renewable energy development and enhance drilling standards. The Renewable Energy Rule aims to facilitate responsible wind and solar energy projects on public lands, while the Oil and Gas Rule introduces stricter standards and increased fees for drilling companies. Meanwhile, the Army Corps of Engineers has denied a permit appeal for the controversial Pebble Mine project in Bristol Bay, Alaska.
In Germany, the coalition government has finalized amendments to the federal Buildings Energy Act (GEG) in March/April 2025. These changes include a stricter 65% renewable energy requirement for new heating installations, the allowance of only 'H2-ready' gas heaters with binding hydrogen transition plans, and relaxed replacement deadlines for some gas/oil heating systems in owner-occupied homes.
Leading up to Earth Day, the Biden administration's actions demonstrate a commitment to protecting public lands and combating climate change. The BLM's Public Lands Rule now gives equal priority to conservation, recreation, and cultural protection alongside resource extraction. Furthermore, President Biden is launching the American Climate Corps, inspired by FDR's Civilian Conservation Corps, to create jobs and fight the climate crisis.
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