Biden Takes Steps to Protect Nevada Mountains From Energy Development

President Joe Biden has announced plans to protect Nevada's Ruby Mountains by halting oil, gas and geothermal development for the next two decades.

Why It Matters

As his final weeks in the White House wind down, Biden and his top aides are making a home-stretch sprint on climate action, finalizing multibillion-dollar clean-energy loans, supporting state-level action on EVs and setting a new national target for greenhouse gas reductions.

It comes as President-elect Donald Trump, who will return to office next month, is likely to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement on climate change, as he did in 2017 during his first term in office. But Biden and his climate advisers said work to fight climate change and shift to a clean-energy economy will continue.

What To Know

The Biden administration said the U.S. Department of the Interior submitted an application to withdraw about 264,000 acres of federal lands in the area from energy development leasing. The application initiates a 90-day public comment period on the 20-year prohibition and prevents oil, gas and geothermal development for two years during the review process.

A truck drives into the 600-foot deep mine at Barrick's Ruby Hill Mine, near Eureka, Nevada, on February 14, 2006. President Joe Biden has announced plans to protect Nevada’s Rube Mountains by halting oil,... Douglas C. Pizac/AP

While this move aims to protect the Ruby Mountains, known for their rich biodiversity and cultural significance, the lands will remain open to mining activities.

The Ruby Mountains, often referred to as Nevada's "Swiss Alps" for their stunning vistas and diverse wildlife, hold cultural and environmental significance. The action taken by Biden follows strong advocacy from Native American tribes, conservation groups, hunters and anglers who have urged greater protection for the area.

What People Are Saying

Environment America Public Lands Director Ellen Montgomery said in a statement: "We commend the Biden administration for making this move. There's a reason these mountains are nicknamed Nevada's 'Swiss Alps.' This wild, mountainous landscape with peaks that reach above 10,000 feet, dotted with pristine alpine lakes, hanging valleys and year-round snowfields is irreplaceable. Lands such as these are certainly not worth permanently scarring in order to pump out more and more fossil fuels."

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in a statement: "The Ruby Mountains are cherished by local communities for their scenic value, cultural heritage, numerous wildlife and benefit to the local economy through a thriving outdoor recreation industry. Today, we are taking an important and sensible step to pause new mining claims to ensure that we have the science and public input necessary to inform proposed protections of the Ruby Mountains area for future generations."

What Happens Next

While it is unclear what Trump will do once in office, he has signaled plans to expand oil and gas production, a pivot from Biden's emphasis on renewable energy and environmental stewardship.

Meanwhile, the decision regarding the Ruby Mountains is likely to draw criticism from energy industry advocates, who argue that such restrictions hinder economic growth and energy independence. However, supporters of the ban view it as a necessary step to mitigate climate change and protect the region's ecological integrity.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.