Overview

• Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced June 1 in Utqiagvik a proposal to rescind a 2024 rule that restricted oil and gas leasing on 10.6 million acres and limited development on 2 million more acres of the 23-million-acre reserve, which holds an estimated 8.7 billion barrels of recoverable oil.
• The proposal will open new areas for drilling aimed at boosting domestic production and reducing reliance on foreign energy, with the Bureau of Land Management accepting public feedback for 60 days before finalizing the rule.
• Alaska Native leaders including Utqiagvik Mayor Asisaun Toovak and Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat President Nagruk Harcharek praised the rollback as essential for regional revenue streams and community services.
• Environmental groups such as The Wilderness Society have warned the rollback threatens critical habitat for caribou, polar bears and migratory birds and plan to challenge the reversal in court.
• On a concurrent North Slope tour, Burgum was joined by Energy Secretary Chris Wright and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin at Deadhorse to highlight expanded drilling plans and promote the proposed Alaska LNG pipeline to Asian investors.