US agency takes steps to protect Nevada mountains from energy development By Reuters

(Reuters) – The Biden administration took steps on Monday to protect the Ruby Mountains in northeastern Nevada from oil, gas and geothermal development for 20 years.

The Interior Department said it has approved a request by the U.S. Forest Service to withdraw 264,442 acres of federal land in the Ruby Mountains from mineral and geothermal leasing.

Approval of the application takes the lands out of use for up to two years and begins a 90-day period for the public to comment on the proposed 20-year withdrawal.

The proposal comes three weeks before President-elect Donald Trump, who has pledged to boost domestic oil and gas production, will replace President Joe Biden, a Democrat who has sought to preserve large amounts of public land.

The lands will remain open to mining claims, the Interior Department said.

“The Ruby Mountains are valued by local communities for their scenic values, cultural heritage, abundant wildlife and benefits to the local economy through a thriving outdoor recreation industry,” said Interior Minister Deb Haaland is doing to stop new oil and gas leasing to ensure we have the scientific and public input needed to inform future generations of the proposed protection of the Ruby Mountains area.”