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6d ago

Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Biden-Era Alaska Drilling Curbs

The Interior Department has opened a 60-day public comment window to decide if millions of acres restricted last year will return to oil and gas leasing.

FILE - The Kaktovik Lagoon and the Brooks Range mountains of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge are seen in Kaktovik, Alaska, Oct. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File)
This image taken through a window of a plane shows airport buildings in Deadhorse, Alaska on Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)
This image taken through a window of a plane shows wind turbines in Deadhorse, Alaska on Monday, June 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Jenny Kane)

Overview

  • Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced on June 1 in Utqiagvik a formal rulemaking to rescind Biden’s April 2024 restrictions on 13 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska.
  • Some Alaska Native leaders, including Utqiagvik mayor Asisaun Toovak, praised the move for economic benefits, while environmental groups like Earthjustice warn it will accelerate the climate crisis and harm vital wildlife habitats.
  • The reserve holds an estimated 8.7 billion barrels of recoverable oil and fits into President Trump’s push to boost U.S. energy independence and expand liquefied natural gas exports to Asian allies.
  • Cabinet members touring the North Slope visited operations at Prudhoe Bay and discussed infrastructure projects such as the Alaska LNG pipeline to support increased oil and gas development.
  • Conservationists are preparing legal challenges, arguing that reversing the 2024 rule exceeds the Interior Department’s authority and undermines protections for subsistence resources.