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Debunking the oil industry’s false claims on Biden’s leasing reform

Apr 26, 2021

By Center for Western Priorities

Shortly after taking office, President Biden ordered the Interior Department to temporarily pause new oil and gas leases on public lands while considering how to reform the century-old program that has long favored the industry at the expense of taxpayers, communities, and our climate. Following that order, the Interior Department recently held a public forum to hear from a broad range of stakeholders, including Native American tribes, community leaders, environmental justice organizations, and the oil and gas industry itself. At the forum, representatives of the oil and gas industry made several deceptive — and often outright false — claims, which they are likely to repeat during a hearing on the leasing pause in the Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee on Tuesday, April 27. Faced with the potential for widely popular and long-awaited reform, it appears the industry is turning to its well worn misinformation playbook. Below is a brief look at several false and misleading claims offered by industry representatives, and the reality contradicting them.