The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has rescinded the record of decision (ROD) for the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Oil and Gas Lease Sale 257. The decision pauses planning for the proposed sale, which was scheduled to be held March 17.
The ROD was rescinded in response to Executive Order 14008, “Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. The order, which was signed by President Biden on Jan. 27, directs the secretary of the Interior to pause new oil and gas leasing on public lands and offshore waters pending completion of a comprehensive review of federal oil and gas activities.
A Federal Register notice formally rescinding the ROD was published today.
On Jan. 21, BOEM published on its website a ROD to proceed with Lease Sale 257 on March 17. Once noticed for final sale, the lease sale would have comprised the Western and Central Planning Areas and a small portion of the Eastern Planning Area not subject to congressional moratorium.
BOEM has now rescinded the ROD for the sale to comply with Executive Order 14008. After completion of the review specified in the Executive Order, BOEM may reevaluate Lease Sale 257 and publish an appropriate ROD in the Federal Register.
For more information go to https://www.boem.gov/Sale-257.
