Trump campaigned on a promise to open up federal lands to increased development. He accused Obama of "denying millions of Americans access to the energy wealth sitting under our feet" by restricting leasing and banning new coal extraction. In December, Trump nominated U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke of Montana, who backs coal mining on federal lands, to lead the Interior Department. While efforts to boost industry access to public lands would likely trigger lawsuits and protests, it could win broad support in a Congress now firmly in Republican control after November’s election. A coalition appointed by Trump's team to guide his Native American policy is researching proposals to ease energy development on tribal lands - including the controversial idea of transferring them to private ownership.
At www.reuters.com
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