Biden Administration Proposing Rules to Protect Endangered Bird

The Biden Administration is proposing restrictions on oil, solar, and wind energy development across the county to protect the greater sage grouse.  That species used to be prevalent across the upper Midwest, but their population has plummeted in recent decades.   A 2015 agreement first signed by the Obama Administration kept the greater sage grouse off the endangered species act in return for limits on future development of public lands, including those in North Dakota, Minnesota, and South Dakota.  The Biden Administration is proposing strengthening those protections before he leaves office.  However, it remains unclear if the energy-friendly Trump Administration would continue the policies of protection for the birds.