News & Alerts
March 18, 2021 INTERIOR DEPARTMENT RELEASES DETAILS FOR UPCOMING VIRTUAL FORUM ON FOSSIL FUELSpdf
On March 18, 2021, the U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) released details for its virtual public forum regarding the federal oil and gas program, slated to be held on March 25, 2021 between 1:00-4:00 p.m. ET. The forum is part of the comprehensive review of the federal oil and gas program called for in Executive Order 14008 (“Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad”) issued on January 27, 2021. Several panels will be featured offering perspectives from invited participants. These participants include industry representatives, labor and environmental justice organizations, natural resource advocates, Indigenous organizations, and others. A welcome and introduction will be provided by newly confirmed Interior Secretary Haaland, followed by presentations from the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) on offshore and onshore oil and gas programs. A list of presenting panelists rounding out the program will be updated on Interior’s website at U.S. Department of the Interior (doi.gov) when available.
The DOI’s stated intention is to use the information gathered at the forum to help inform its interim report mandated by EO 14008, planned for completion in early summer. The report will address the state of the federal conventional energy programs and 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.” Members of the public are invited to submit comments or additional information through April 15 by emailing energyreview@ios.doi.gov. The forum will take place via Zoom Webinar. Anyone interested in viewing the forum may register at this link: Webinar Registration – Zoom (zoomgov.com), and a livestream of the event will also be available at Live Events | U.S. Department of the Interior (doi.gov). The forum will be recorded and have live captions. Executive Order 14008 can be read in its entirety at Federal Register :: Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad.