The Biden administration appealed a federal judge’s ruling that blocked the Interior Department’s pause on oil and gas leasing on public lands and waters on Monday, but said it will continue the leasing process during the appeal. The pause on oil and gas drilling on public lands and waters, implemented in the first weeks of the Biden administration is a significant piece of its efforts to reduce climate pollution. Federal lease sales have also come under congressional scrutiny. The Biden administration also said Monday it would review coal leasing on federal lands. (O&G leasing: Reuters, Bloomberg $, Politico Pro $; Coal leasing: The Hill)