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"This action provides greater clarity and predictability for independent oil and natural gas producers--many of whom rely on consistent permitting and leasing processes to operate efficiently and invest in domestic energy supply," Dan Naatz with the Independent Petroleum Association of America said in a statement.
The federal government's vast land holdings are concentrated in Western states including Alaska, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Since taking office, Trump has pursued a flurry of actions aimed at boosting fossil fuel production from those taxpayer-owned sites. The Republican administration also has sought to sideline some renewable energy projects, claiming they were unfairly subsidized under Biden.