Ute Indian Tribe protests Biden administration moratorium on oil extraction permits

A representative from the Ute Indian Tribe issued a statement on Thursday demanding that the Biden administration allow them an exemption from a recent Department of Interior order temporarily suspending new permits for oil drilling on public land.

"The Ute Indian Tribe and other energy producing tribes rely on energy development to fund our governments and provide services to our members," wrote Luke Duncan, chairman of the Ute Indian Tribe Business Committee.

"Your order is a direct attack on our economy, sovereignty, and our right to self-determination," Duncan argues, further arguing that "[any] action on our land and interests can only be taken after effective tribal consultation."

Duncan further argued that the moratorium violates treaty obligations of the United States and is "in violation [of] our government-to-government relationship."

The moratorium was issued by the Biden administration as part of the new administration's efforts to combat climate change. A wide series of executive orders from President Biden himself have also been issued on the matter of climate change since he entered office on Wednesday.

The order was issued on Biden's first day in office.

Combatting climate change was a major campaign promise of Biden's presidential campaign as Democrats widely alleged that the Trump administration largely ignored the issue. Carbon emissions in the United States dropped under President Trump.

While many Indigenous people are opposed to oil extraction, the Ute Indian Tribe produces 45,000 barrels of oil per day, along with 900 million cubic feet of natural gas as of 2017.

"The order must be withdrawn or amended to comply with Federal law and policies," the letter finished.