![O’Rourke Might Halt New Drilling on U.S. Lands](http://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2019/04/GettyImages-1138057199.jpg?w=630&h=419&zc=1&s=0&a=t&q=89&w=980&q=75)
O’Rourke Might Halt New Drilling on U.S. Lands
RENO, Nev. (AP) — Former Texas Congressman Beto O'Rourke says he's willing to consider a moratorium on new leases to drill for oil and gas on federal lands as a way to help combat climate change.
The Democratic presidential hopeful told reporters between campaign speeches in Reno and Carson City on Thursday the nation needs to rethink how it protects its public lands.
O'Rourke says that concern, combined with the need to reduce total greenhouse emissions, makes it especially important that U.S. taxpayers don't allow oil and gas companies to contribute more to the problem.
He said that "perhaps creating a moratorium on any future leases — and reviewing all those that are in existence — is in order."
More From KOWB 1290
![[UPDATED] Albany County Unofficial General Election Results](http://townsquare.media/site/245/files/2022/11/attachment-election-results-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Here Are The Polling Places Within the City of Laramie](http://townsquare.media/site/245/files/2022/11/attachment-Resizing-2022-11-07T123409.366.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Republicans Expected To Sweep Statewide Races UWYO Survey Finds](http://townsquare.media/site/245/files/2022/11/attachment-Resizing-2022-11-07T111636.462.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Wyoming U.S. Attorney Names Oversight Officer For Nov. 8 Election](http://townsquare.media/site/101/files/2020/11/Fairgrounds-voting-about-4_15-p.m.-11-3-20.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Wyoming Law Enforcement Remind Drivers to ‘Click It or Ticket’](http://townsquare.media/site/99/files/2016/05/seat-belt.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![LOOK: Reflections on Seeing Wyoming’s Mullen Fire Burn Scar](http://townsquare.media/site/245/files/2021/09/attachment-4.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![“Revive the Wyo” Campaign Launches September 10](http://townsquare.media/site/107/files/2020/12/Laramie2.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Wyoming Reacts To Cheney’s Fist Bump](http://townsquare.media/site/961/files/2021/04/YouTube-screen-grab1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Biden Faces Major Lawsuit Over Oil Leasing In Wyoming Court](http://townsquare.media/site/99/files/2016/12/808647112.jpg?w=980&q=75)