Monday 8 February 2021

The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced it has canceled the public comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Cook Inlet OCS Oil & Gas Lease Sale 258, off Alaska’s southcentral coast. Due to cancellation of the public comment period, the virtual meetings previously scheduled for February are also canceled.

On Jan. 27, 2021, President Biden issued Executive Order 14008, titled "Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad." Among other things, this order directs federal agencies to “pause new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or in offshore waters pending completion of a comprehensive review and reconsideration of Federal oil and gas permitting and leasing practices.”

A Federal Register notice formally canceling the comment period and public meetings is forthcoming.