The Department of the Interior this week unveiled a sweeping policy change aimed at accelerating oil and gas leasing on federal lands—part of the Trump Administration’s ongoing push for energy dominance and economic growth. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) will now expedite its lease parcel reviews, pledging to complete the process in just six months, down from the current timeline of eight to 15 months.

According to a May 13 press release, the BLM’s new Instruction Memorandum titled “Oil and Gas Leasing – Land Use Planning and Lease Parcel Reviews” sets a deadline-driven framework for lease sales, streamlining the environmental review process and enhancing predictability for energy developers.

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we are ending the unnecessary delays and bureaucratic roadblocks that have held back American energy production for too long,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Adam Suess. “This policy puts us on a fast track to Energy Dominance—opening up more federal land for responsible development, cutting review times nearly in half, and sending a clear message that the United States is serious about job creation, low energy costs, and putting American energy first.”

Under the revised approach, the BLM will conduct lease parcel reviews and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analyses in parallel, rather than deferring parcels until all reviews are completed. The agency emphasized that public participation will still be required, in accordance with federal regulations.

But at What Cost?

While the administration touts the move as a key step toward energy independence and economic revitalization, the policy has drawn concern from environmental advocates and legal analysts who warn that faster leasing could compromise environmental safeguards and reduce public oversight.

Although the Department of the Interior maintains that the policy complies with NEPA and existing land management plans, previous streamlining efforts—particularly under the Trump administration—have faced legal challenges. Critics argue that abbreviated timelines for environmental review may lead to incomplete assessments, greater litigation risk, and diminished consideration of long-term ecological impacts.

The BLM is legally mandated to hold quarterly lease sales for eligible lands. By standardizing a six-month review schedule, Interior officials say they are reinforcing compliance with statutory obligations while giving industry stakeholders greater clarity.

A Legacy of Legal Challenges

Previous attempts to speed up oil and gas leasing under earlier policies have led to lawsuits, especially where NEPA compliance or tribal consultation was deemed insufficient. In some cases, courts vacated lease sales due to inadequate environmental review or lack of transparency in the process.

The Interior’s new directive does not eliminate NEPA reviews but alters the timing, which may have consequences for how thoroughly risks are evaluated before lease parcels are offered. The policy also notes that lease decisions will be based on existing land use plans, which environmental groups have in the past criticized as outdated or insufficiently protective.

Interior officials argue that the updated policy strikes a balance between responsible development and regulatory efficiency. It is intended to reduce backlogs, boost U.S. energy production, and lower costs for consumers.

Still, the long-term effectiveness and legality of this policy remain uncertain. If the compressed timeline leads to weaker environmental analysis or undermines public trust, it could result in litigation and delays that ultimately counteract the policy’s goals.

The Department has not yet indicated whether it will update its resource management plans or environmental assessment procedures in light of this shift.

As federal agencies continue to navigate the tension between energy development and environmental responsibility, this policy marks a significant inflection point—one that will be closely watched by industry, environmentalists, and the courts alike.