The Biden administration recently proposed stricter regulations on energy development over 6,500 square miles of federal land in the U.S. West to protect the declining greater sage grouse population. These chicken-sized birds, which were once widespread, have faced population declines due to energy development, wildfires, and disease.
The proposal aims to eliminate exceptions that previously allowed development in critical habitats, particularly targeting solar, wind, oil, and gas projects. The move builds on protections established in a 2015 agreement under the Obama administration, which had shielded the sage grouse from being listed as an endangered species by imposing restrictions across its habitat range.
Under Biden’s plan, new solar and wind projects would be banned from sensitive grouse areas, and oil and gas drilling would be confined to locations outside these regions. This contrasts with the Trump administration’s energy policies, which aimed to expand development on public lands and attempted to reduce the Obama-era sage grouse protections—a move that was blocked by the courts.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland defended the proposal as a balanced, science-based approach to preserving the sage grouse while allowing for responsible land development, though the plan has faced resistance from both the energy industry and some environmentalists.
Industry representatives from both fossil fuel and renewable energy sectors criticized the proposal. Phil Sgro of the American Clean Power group argued that it would impose unnecessary restrictions on clean energy infrastructure development.
Biden Administration Proposes Stricter Energy Development Rules to Protect Sage Grouse Habitat
The oil and gas industry expressed similar disapproval, with the Western Energy Alliance contending that Biden’s administration was being misleading in stating that energy companies avoid sage grouse habitats. Some environmentalists, though supportive of stronger protections, argued the proposal fell short, as it still allowed for certain developments within nearly 50,000 square miles of sage grouse habitat.
Political opposition also emerged, especially in Western states where these lands are located. Wyoming’s Governor Mark Gordon and Senator John Barrasso argued that the plan would impose excessive federal regulation and interfere with local land management solutions.
Barrasso, anticipating a shift in federal leadership, stated his intent to work with the next administration to reverse the decision. This opposition reflects broader tensions between federal conservation efforts and state and industry interests in energy development across public lands.
In addition to the energy development restrictions, the Biden administration proposed a 20-year ban on new mining projects over more than 15,625 square miles in several states as part of the 2015 sage grouse protections. Although this mining ban had been canceled during Trump’s term, it was later reinstated by a court.
The Bureau of Land Management is currently accepting public protests against Biden’s proposal, and final decisions will follow this period of public input. The continued push for sage grouse protections underscores the ongoing debate over balancing conservation efforts with energy and mining interests in the West.
