public land oil & gas
Credit: WildEarth Guardians/Flickr

New Interior Department policy to increase costs for oil drilling on public land

A long-awaited Interior Department policy will raise financial assurance and royalty rates, aiming to ensure cleaner operations and better returns for the public.

Nick Bowlin reports for High Country News.


In short:

  • The Department of Interior issued a new rule imposing stricter financial requirements for oil and gas companies on federal public land.
  • Companies will now have to provide higher financial assurances for well cleanup and pay increased royalty taxes on extracted minerals.
  • These changes aim to cut wasteful speculation, increase returns for the public, and protect taxpayers from environmental cleanup costs.

Key quote:

“These new regulations are the kind of common-sense reforms the federal oil and gas leasing program has needed for decades.”

— Athan Manuel, Sierra Club lands protection program director

Why this matters:

The new policy signifies a noteworthy shift in oil drilling regulation, aiming to ensure environmental protection and fairer returns for public resources, while also addressing climate concerns associated with methane emissions from abandoned wells. Read more: Oil and gas production responsible for $77 billion in annual U.S. health damages.

Rising Atlantic sea levels
Credit: Virginia Sea Grant/Flickr

Rising sea levels pose new challenges for southern US coasts

A rapid increase in sea levels across the southern U.S. is compelling coastal communities to adapt to unprecedented environmental changes.

Chris Mooney, Brady Dennis, Kevin Crowe, and John Muyskens report for The Washington Post.

Keep reading...Show less
Senator Whitehouse & climate change

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.
Amid LNG’s Gulf Coast expansion, community hopes to stand in its way
Coast Guard inspects Cameron LNG Facility in preparation for first LNG export in 2019. (Credit: Coast Guard News)

Amid LNG’s Gulf Coast expansion, community hopes to stand in its way

This 2-part series was co-produced by Environmental Health News and the journalism non-profit Economic Hardship Reporting Project. See part 1 here.Este ensayo también está disponible en español
Keep reading...Show less
2024 Goldman Environmental Prize
Credit: Pugun and Photo/BigStockPhoto ID: 168502379

Meet the champions of the 2024 Goldman Environmental Prize​

The Goldman Environmental Prize celebrates its 35th year by recognizing seven environmental leaders who have made significant impacts in their regions.

Liz Kimbrough reports for Mongabay.

Keep reading...Show less

Trump's potential impact on climate policy

Donald Trump's election could lead to a major reversal of current U.S. climate policies, according to his statements on environmental regulations.

Lisa Friedman reports for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less

Extreme rains in Oman and UAE linked to climate change

A recent study suggests climate change, driven by fossil fuel emissions, likely intensified the unprecedented rains in Oman and the UAE, causing significant destruction and fatalities.

Al Jazeera reports.

Keep reading...Show less

Strategies evolve as ocean heat threatens coral survival in Florida

As rising ocean temperatures continue to stress coral reefs in Florida, conservationists are adopting new strategies to enhance coral resilience.

Amudalat Ajasa, Whitney Leaming, and Carolyn Van Houten report for The Washington Post.

Keep reading...Show less
Maldives' race to expand land raises environmental and social concerns
Credit: 12019/Pixabay

Maldives' race to expand land raises environmental and social concerns

The Maldives is undertaking large-scale land reclamation to combat land scarcity and rising sea levels, but this move has sparked widespread environmental and societal concerns.

Jesse Chase-Lubitz reports for the Pulitzer Center.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
youth climate change

"Our lives might be on the line"

Eighth graders reflect on the state of the planet.

sargassum

After 13 years, no end in sight for Caribbean sargassum invasion

Thousands of people were hurt by sargassum blooms last year in the Caribbean.

youth climate change

“We should take care of what is precious to us"

Eighth graders reflect on the state of the planet.

earth day 2024

Earth Day reflections from the next generation

This week we're featuring essays from Houston-area eighth graders to hear what the youth think about the state of our planet.

New EPA regulations mean a closer eye on the nation’s petrochemical hub

New EPA regulations mean a closer eye on the nation’s petrochemical hub

Houston’s fenceline communities welcome stricter federal rules on chemical plant emissions but worry about state compliance.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.