Story perspectives

Burgum Reverses Biden Drilling Rules, Slashes Bonding Costs

6/24/2026

Summary

Story summary

On June 22, 2026, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the reversal of two Biden-era drilling rules.
The reversal cuts bonding costs to pre-Biden levels, lowering upfront drilling expenses.
It also eliminates the requirement that drilling applications include cleanup plans and removes the methane-capture certification rule.
Environmental groups such as the National Wildlife Federation criticized the changes, urging that companies, not taxpayers, fund cleanup.

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Story summary

On June 22, 2026, U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the reversal of two Biden-era drilling rules.
The reversal cuts bonding costs to pre-Biden levels, lowering upfront drilling expenses.
It also eliminates the requirement that drilling applications include cleanup plans and removes the methane-capture certification rule.
Environmental groups such as the National Wildlife Federation criticized the changes, urging that companies, not taxpayers, fund cleanup.