Republican Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas has introduced a new bill that would remove the Biden administration's protections for the lizard species that critics say limit oil and gas development.
Cruz introduced the Congressional Review Act (CRA). invoice Senator Cruz has announced that he will reverse the Biden Administration's decision to protect the Dunes Sagebrush Lizard, a species endemic to New Mexico and West Texas, under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Cruz and other critics of the designation argue that protections for the lizard are likely intended to complicate oil and gas development in New Mexico and West Texas. Permian BasinAn oil- and gas-rich region spanning western Texas and New Mexico.
This lizard is less than 3 inches long, excluding the length of its tail. according to To the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).
“The Biden Administration has used the federal government to stifle American energy production at precisely the time the country and the world need access to affordable American-made energy,” Cruz said in a statement shared with the Daily Caller News Foundation. “This devastating rule threatens American jobs and undermines energy production in the Permian Basin. I urge the Senate to swiftly take up and pass my legislation to overturn this rule.” (RELATED: Exclusive: Sen. Ted Cruz introduces bill to repeal 'natural gas tax' tucked into Biden's climate change bill)
Ted Cruz CRA Bill by Nick Pope On Scribd
FWS Listed The minister decided in May to protect the small lizard, the Dunes sagebrush lizard, under the ESA, citing “the best available science” and saying the rule would “protect rare lizards and their habitats” from habitat loss caused by oil and gas activities.
The oil and gas industry, meanwhile, has questioned whether the science behind the decision is robust, and says the safeguards could slow down permitting processes and raise production costs. according to Because the lizards are listed as endangered, building access roads would be time-consuming, difficult and expensive, raising production costs that will ultimately be passed on, at least in part, to consumers, according to the Texas Tribune.
“Listing the Dunes sagebrush lizard as an endangered species is another attempt by the Biden Administration to halt drilling in the Permian Basin,” Rep. August Plueger, R-Texas, said in a statement shared with DCNF. “The Congressional Review Act is an attempt by President Biden to use the lizard as a weapon against the oil and gas industry. We will not allow the President to seize his private property and kill energy jobs in the Permian Basin.”
Republican Senators John Cornyn (Texas), Mike Lee (Utah), and Cynthia Lummis (Wyoming) joined Senator Cruz in introducing the CRA bill, which is supported by a number of industry groups, including the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, the Independent Petroleum Association of America, the American Petroleum Institute, and the American Exploration and Production Council.
The FWS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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