The Biden administration has taken action to protect Nevada’s Ruby Mountains. It aims to block oil, gas, and geothermal development for 20 years. The administration has filed an application to withdraw 264,000 acres (107,000 hectares) of federal lands from leasing. This starts a 90-day public comment period. During this process, oil, gas, and geothermal development will be paused for two years. However, mining will still be allowed.
Environmental Concerns and Reactions
Patrick Donnelly, Great Basin director at the Center for Biological Diversity, welcomed the decision. He said it would stop speculative oil leasing. However, he argued that the protection is incomplete. “The Ruby Mountains have no known oil reserves, and this withdrawal does nothing to ward off the truly urgent threat of gold mining,” Donnelly explained.
Support from Tribes and Conservationists
The decision followed requests from Native American tribes, conservationists, hunters, and anglers. These groups have long advocated for stronger protection of the land.
Move Before Trump’s Inauguration
This action comes just weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Trump has promised to increase oil and gas production, shifting away from Biden’s climate policies.
Previous Forest Service Decision
In 2019, the U.S. Forest Service concluded that oil and gas leasing was not suitable in the Ruby Mountains. Environmentalists viewed this as a win against Trump’s push for energy exploration across the West.