"The plan would open up 11 million acres to drilling and remove conditions, including protections for sensitive ecological areas, on oil and gas leases in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska." 

"The Trump administration announced Monday it is moving ahead with plans to reopen millions of acres of undisturbed public land to oil and gas drilling, amid a visit by top officials to Alaska this week.

The Bureau of Land Management will issue a proposed rescission of a Biden-era rule that banned drilling on nearly half of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A), reverting to regulations in place prior to May 7, 2024.

“Congress was clear: the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska was set aside to support America’s energy security through responsible development,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. “The 2024 rule ignored that mandate, prioritizing obstruction over production and undermining our ability to harness domestic resources at a time when American energy independence has never been more critical.”

The proposed change, which will be published in the Federal Register, will trigger a 60-day comment period. Reverting to previous regulations would open up 11 million acres to drilling as well as removing conditions — such as considering Indigenous knowledge and solidifying protections for sensitive ecological areas — on oil and gas leases in the reserve."

Jennifer Yachnin reports for E&E News June 2, 2025. [2]

SEE ALSO:

"Trump Administration to Open Alaska Wilderness to Drilling and Mining" (New York Times) [3]

"Top Trump Officials Visit Prolific Alaska Oil Field Amid Push To Expand Drilling" (AP) [4]