and gas drilling, it said Thursday, in a step that could lead to a massive expansion of fossil fuel extraction. The move comes as Washington looks increasingly out of step with much of the developed world, where there is growing acceptance of the reality of human-caused climate change.

Under the plan announced by the US Department of the Interior, 34 lease sales will be offered, allowing for drilling in 1.27 billion acres (500 million hectares) -- an area the size of the Amazon. The proposal includes waters off the north coast of Alaska that have never been drilled before, in the Gulf of Mexico -- which the administration calls the Gulf of America -- and off California. "The Biden administration slammed the brakes on offshore oil and gas leasing and crippled the long-term pipeline of America's offshore production," said Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, referring to Trump's predecessor Joe Biden. Burgum insisted that offshore energy production requires a lot of time and investment. "By moving forward with the development of a robust, forward-thinking leasing plan, we are ensuring that America's offshore industry stays strong, our workers stay employed, and our nation remains energy dominant for decades to come." (Bssnews)