New Interior Department Secretary Ryan Zinke is hanging the “Open for Business” sign on energy rich federal lands, just his latest repeal of Obama-era restrictions.
In approving a $22 million coal lease on the Greens Hollow tract in central Utah, Zinke said that other deals will be cut in hopes of putting people back to work.
“Let me make one thing clear, the Interior Department is in the energy business,” said Zinke.
“The United States has more coal than any other nation on earth, and we are lucky to be at a time in our history that we have the technology available to responsibly mine coal and return our land to equal or better quality after,” said Zinke. “For many communities and tribes in Utah, Montana, New Mexico, and other states across the west, coal on public lands has been both a boon and a missed opportunity. With the potential for thousands of jobs and millions in economic opportunity, the Interior Department is committed to balancing the development and conservation of these resources. The Greens Hollow lease sale is a sign of optimism for the Trump Administration and the pro-energy and pro-growth economic policies to come,” he added in a statement.
The decision comes slightly more than a year since Obama-era Interior Secretary Sally Jewell put a moratorium on new coal leases.
Zinke also said that Bureau of Land Management veteran Michael Nedd will serve as acting-director of the BLM. The department said his selection “signals the secretary’s focus on elevating responsible energy development on public lands where appropriate.”
Zinke said that the pick, however doesn’t indicate any lessening of the department’s attention to preserving and protecting federal lands and wildlife habitat.
He said, “Mike is an energy guy who understands the balance we must strike when developing resources and creating jobs on our public lands. It is my hope that working together he will help identify areas where we can expand responsible mineral development while still conserving habitat and wildlife.”
Zinke made headlines in his first week when he killed the Obama ban on lead ammo and fishing tackle on federal lands.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]
