Congress took the unprecedented step this week of repealing management plans for public lands in three states in an effort to expand access to fossil fuel mining and drilling.

Critics of the move warn it could inject a new level of uncertainty into management of these areas and open a wave of litigation over leasing for energy development, grazing and other uses.

The Senate approved three resolutions this week that wipe out resource management plans enacted during the Biden administration in Alaska, Montana and North Dakota. The resolutions came under the Congressional Review Act, which empowers Congress to nullify executive branch rules. Each resolution had previously passed the House of Representatives. • ICN Weekly Saturdays Our #1 newsletter delivers the week’s climate and energy n

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