US agency protects Nevada Mountains from energy development

The Biden administration took action on Monday to protect the Ruby Mountains of northeast Nevada for a period of 20 years from any oil, gas or geothermal development.

Interior Department approved a request by U.S. Forest Service for the withdrawal of 264,442 acre federal land in Ruby Mountains from mineral or geothermal leases.

After the application is approved, the land can be used for development for up two years. The public has 90 days to make comments on the 20-year withdrawal.

The proposal is made three weeks before Donald Trump, the president-elect, takes over from Joe Biden as a Democrat, who sought to preserve large areas of public land.

Interior Department stated that the lands would be open for mining claims.

In a press release, Interior Secretary Deb haaland stated that the Ruby Mountains were cherished by the local communities because of their scenic value, culture heritage, wildlife, and economic benefits to local economies through a flourishing outdoor recreation industry. Today, we take an important step and pause all new oil and natural gas leasing. This will allow us to gather the necessary science and input from the public to help inform any proposed protections for the Ruby Mountains region. (Reporting and editing by Nichola Nomiyama; Reporting by Nichola Graef)

(source: Reuters)