The Biden administration is forging ahead with its plan to sell new leases for oil and gas drilling on federal land.The move comes as President Biden seeks new ways to lower gas prices.But some environmental groups say he is breaking his campaign promise to end the nation's dependence on fossil fuels.Stephanie Sy has our report.Judy, these are the first fossil fuel leases to be offered on public land since Biden took office.They cover 145,000 acres of government land across nine states.And the Interior Department will raise the royalty rate oil and gas companies pay the federal government from 12.5 percent to 18.75 percent.Joining us to discuss the implications, Coral Davenport.She covers energy and environmental policy for The New York Times.Coral, thank you so much for joining the "NewsHour."In the grand scheme of nationwide oil and gas extraction, how much is 145,000 acres?Could it substantially increase oil and gas production?And could it substantially shift the U.S. away from its goals to lower carbon emissions?In the grand scheme of things, 144,000 acres is a small portion of the many hundreds and hundreds of thousands of acres that the U.S. already has open for drilling on public lands.It's a very small portion.And it's not expected to make a difference in overall U.S. gasoline production or the price of gasoline.
