The Biden administration effectively suspended new fossil fuel extraction on public lands and waters Thursday. Under an order signed by acting Interior Secretary Scott de la Vega, only high-level staff may “issue any onshore or offshore fossil fuel authorization” including leases and drilling permits. The 60-day order is a first step toward fulfilling one of President Biden’s major campaign promises: the end of fossil fuels leasing on public lands and waters, which account for about a quarter of all U.S. oil and gas extraction. (AP, Politico Pro $, E&E $, Reuters, Reuters, The Hill, Bloomberg $)