Texas’ oil and gas industries are experiencing a major blow as President Biden (D) has enacted suspensions on new leasing for fossil fuel production on federal property. In response, Texas lawmakers are questioning the significant impact this can have on jobs in the Lone Star state.
On Wednesday, Scott de la Vega, the Acting Interior Secretary signed a 60-day Temporary Suspension of Delegated Authority. With this, it places an immediate suspension on the issuance of federal onshore and offshore oil and natural gas leasing permits.
Texas Rep. Tony Gonzales (R) shared his thoughts on Twitter, asserting that “President Biden’s first actions in the office are to halt the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline that provided thousands of jobs for our American construction workers.” As well, the lawmaker made a call for American’s to “stand up to the left’s goal to end oil and gas.”
President Biden’s first actions in the office are to halt the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline that provided thousands of jobs for our American construction workers. We must stand up to the left’s goal to end oil and gas.https://t.co/UXYQ1hniJM
— Tony Gonzales (@TonyGonzales4TX) January 23, 2021
Freshman Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R) echoed in his remarks, questioning President Biden on “how many Texas jobs are you trying to kill?”
First, he cancelled the #KeystonePipeline.
Now, he's suspending oil and gas leasing on federal lands.
How many Texas jobs are you trying to kill, @JoeBiden?
Two days in office, two detrimental decisions for the Lonestar state.— Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (@RepBethVanDuyne) January 23, 2021
“First, he canceled the Keystone Pipeline. Now, he’s suspending oil and gas leasing on federal lands,” she commented before clarifying that “two days in the office” have resulted in “two detrimental decisions for the Lonestar state.”
In coming into office, President Biden vowed to tackle climate change.
Matt Casale, the U.S. PIRG Environment Campaigns Director, explained that “building new infrastructure like the Keystone XL pipeline, which would result in millions of tons of new carbon emissions, just adds fuel to a fire that’s already burning down our house.”
This is why Biden had set his sights on canceling the pipeline. However, Texas Republican lawmakers are worried that those displaced from the cancellation will face struggles with finding a job during a time when the United States is still facing the COVID-19 pandemic.
