Federal judge reverses Biden's ban on new oil and gas leases for federal lands and waters, dealing blow to climate change activists

New Orleans — The Biden administration's suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water was blocked Tuesday by a federal judge in Louisiana who ordered that plans continue for lease sales that were delayed for the Gulf of Mexico and Alaska waters "and all eligible onshore properties."The decision is a blow to President Biden's efforts to rapidly transition the nation away from fossil fuels and thereby stave off the worst effects of climate change, including catastrophic droughts, floods and wildfires. "The Interior Department continues to work on an interim report that will include initial findings on the state of the federal conventional energy programs, as well as outline next steps and recommendations for the Department and Congress to improve stewardship of public lands and waters, create jobs, and build a just and equitable energy future." The moratorium was imposed after Mr. Biden on Jan. 27 signed executive orders to fight climate change. The Interior Department later canceled oil and gas lease sales from public lands through June - affecting Nevada, Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming and the bureau's eastern region.