Mealey's (December 9, 2021, 7:38 AM EST) -- BISMARCK, N.D. — The state of North Dakota on Nov. 23 filed a brief arguing that the U.S. Department of the Interior, in its brief opposing the state’s petition for a writ of mandamus seeking immediate relief compelling the federal government to hold quarterly fracking lease sales, “attempts to divert attention from the undeniable fact” that it has canceled all of the quarterly lease sales in North Dakota in 2021 and it should be compelled to resume lease sales....