Biden admin admission on climate agenda in leak

OAN Geraldyn Berry
5:16 PM PT – Friday, March 3, 2023

Although it promises to increase royalty payments, the Biden administration admitted in a document charging fossil fuel firms less for drilling. “better energy security” Friday

Fox News Digital obtained a memo indicating that Amanda Lefton, the former Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, (BOEM), suggested late last year to the Department of the Interior (DOI), that it increase the royalty fees for oil and gas lease sales encompassing 958,202 acres of Cook Inlet off the coast of Alaska. This was part of its climate agenda. Laura Daniel-Davis was appointed Assistant Secretary at DOI to approve the recommendation.

“If a Cook Inlet prospect would be developed, there would be additional government revenues and greater energy security for the State of Alaska, especially if development of natural gas resources in the Cook Inlet ameliorated the long-term supply challenges facing the Anchorage area,” Lefton wrote. “Nevertheless, because of the serious challenges facing the Nation from climate change and the impact of [greenhouse gasses] from fossil fuels, BOEM is not recommending this option since it would not include an appropriate surcharge to account for those impacts.”

Lefton’s suggested, in particular, that drillers be charged a royalty fee by the federal government of 18.75% instead of the 16.67% alternative. This would attract more bids. “be more likely to facilitate rapid and orderly development of [offshore] resources.”

Daniel-Davis approved Lefton’s November proposal and published her record. In it, she explained why she chose an 18.75% fee. “This rate offers the most appropriate balancing of environmental and economic issues for the American public.” She didn’t mention that the alternative would allow for more secure access to electricity. This was not noted in the memo.

Senator Joe Manchin (D.W.Va.), issued a statement.

“The Department of the Interior mistakenly posted an internal memo making recommendations to Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management, Laura Daniel Davis, on the Cook Inlet Oil and Gas Lease Sale 258 mandated by the Inflation Reduction Act,” Manchin stated. “I am appalled by its contents, which make crystal clear that this administration is literally putting their radical climate agenda ahead of the needs of the people of Alaska and the United States.”

The Democrat criticized administration for allegedly bowing down to environmental groups and disobeying Congress’ will. “at the expense of shoring up American energy security and maintaining American safety.”