#Trump administration fast-tracks #oil and #mining projects, angering #environmentalists
By Mary Cunningham
Updated on: April 25, 2025
"The Trump administration said it will accelerate permit approvals for #mining, #drilling and #FossilFuel production and transportation on public land, fast-tracking a review process that would normally take years.
"In announcing the emergency procedures Wednesday, the Department of the Interior, which oversees the management of federal lands and natural resources, said the permitting process will now take up to '28 days at most' — a drastic departure from the current one- to two-year timeline.
"The government agency said the move is in response to President Trump's January 20 declaration of a national energy emergency. In an executive order on the first day of his second term, the White House said it would 'eliminate harmful, coercive 'climate' policies that increase the costs of food and fuel.' [#ClimateChange, caused by harmful oil, gas and coal, will take care of that! #FAFO!]
"The speedy permitting policy opens the door for the U.S. to expand oil and gas projects and for Mr. Trump to make good on his promise to "#DrillBabyDrill" — a common refrain on his campaign trail. The new guidelines will apply to a wide range of energy projects, including crude #oil, #NaturalGas and #coal.
"The U.S. leads the world in oil and gas production, with an output of 20 million barrels of oil a day and accounting for roughly a quarter of global gas production, according to the International Energy Agency.
"The DOI said it would use #emergency authorities under the National Environmental Policy Act, #EndangeredSpeciesAct and the National #HistoricPreservationAct to expedite the permitting process.
" 'The United States cannot afford to wait,' Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a statement on Wednesday. 'President Trump has made it clear that our energy security is national security, and these emergency procedures reflect our unwavering commitment to protecting both.'
Environmental advocates rebuked the announcement, saying that in addition to adverse environmental impacts on public land and water sources, the expedited procedures will strip away community members' ability to weigh in on projects happening in their own backyards. Experts say the move is expected to draw legal challenges."
#LeaveItInTheGround #Oiligarchy #NoDrilling #NoPipelines #BigOilAndGas
#ExtractiveIndustries #USPol #WaterIsLife #SacredSites #WildlifeRefuge #Extinction #CulturalGenocide #Ecocide #MadKingTrump
