Secretary Haaland on Friday revoked a dozen secretarial orders issued by her predecessor during the Trump administration.

Seeking to add what she said was consistency with the Interior Department's role, Secretary Deb Haaland on Friday jettisoned a number of secretarial orders her predecessor in the Trump administration issued to boost the nation's energy production.

Haaland revoked a dozen orders issued by David Bernhardt in what she said was a move to bring Interior in line with President Biden's effort to address climate change. Among the orders she tossed out was one that aimed to expedite energy development off the Atlantic Coast, another to 'streamline," as Bernhardt put it, the National Environmental Policy Act to expedite environmental studies on projects on federal lands, and another that removed former Interior Secretary Sally Jewell's moratorium on coal production from federal lands.

"From day one, President Biden was clear that we must take a whole-of-government approach to tackle the climate crisis, strengthen the economy, and address environmental justice,” said Deb Haaland. “At the Department of the Interior, I believe we have a unique opportunity to make our communities more resilient to climate change and to help lead the transition to a clean energy economy. These steps will align the Interior Department with the president’s priorities and better position the team to be a part of the climate solution.” 

“I know that signing Secretarial Orders alone won’t address the urgency of the climate crisis. But I’m hopeful that these steps will help make clear that we, as a department, have a mandate to act,” she added. “With the vast experience, talent, and ingenuity of our public servants at the Department of the Interior, I’m optimistic about what we can accomplish together to care for our natural resources for the benefit of current and future generations.”

The Interior secretary also withdrew M-37062, an opinion which said Interior must "promulgate a National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program consisting of a 5-year lease schedule with at least two lease sales during the five-year plan."

Her actions drew approval from some groups and U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, an Arizona Democrat who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee.

"This administration understands that preventing climate collapse and putting our economy on a more sustainable path takes a lot of work and meaningful consultation with people impacted by federal policies," the congressman said. "Today’s secretarial orders set up our country for success on all fronts and move us past the fossil fuel reliance and pro-polluter agenda of the Trump administration. Real solutions require long-term engagement by dedicated public servants, not relying on quick fixes and magic bullets, and I applaud Secretary Haaland for taking a smart, science-based, public-facing approach to building a more sustainable and prosperous economy.”

The president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation, Collin O'Mara, said Haaland's actions show that she and Biden "are serious about fulfilling their promises on climate and working collaboratively with states and communities to conserve and restore our public lands and waters for future generations.”

"... we need to restore the balance of responsible energy development with the importance of restoring lands and waters, recovering wildlife, and supporting outdoor recreation," said O'Mara. "Rescinding the previous administration’s orders that encouraged unfettered drilling in ecologically and culturally sensitive areas and establishing a Climate Task Force will help ensure wise management of our natural resources for people and wildlife alike."

Haaland revoked the following orders: