Biden Administration Restricts Oil and Gas Leasing in Alaska's Petroleum Reserve

The new rules aim to protect wildlife and address climate change, sparking legal threats and political backlash.

The Biden administration has imposed restrictions on oil and gas leasing across 13 million acres of Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve to conserve wildlife and combat climate change.
The decision finalizes earlier proposals and is part of a broader environmental strategy that includes rejecting a mining road through Gates of the Arctic National Park.
Republican lawmakers, led by Alaska's Senators, have criticized the move as detrimental to U.S. energy security, predicting legal challenges.
Environmental groups have praised the administration's actions, viewing them as crucial steps toward sustainable conservation.
The restrictions do not affect existing leases or operations, including the controversial Willow project, but they prevent new developments in designated areas.