Trump admin proposes expansion of oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic regions

• The Trump administration announced plans to expand oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s Arctic regions, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. The proposal aims to unlock an estimated 10.4 billion barrels of oil worth about $700 billion.
• Environmental groups and some Alaska Native communities oppose the move, citing threats to wildlife and sacred lands.
• These plans are not yet final and will undergo what may be a lengthy regulatory process before any drilling can begin.

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The Trump administration announced plans Thursday, March 20, to expand oil and gas drilling across Alaska’s Arctic regions. This will include the highly contested Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, as well as the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

What are the arguments for and against drilling?

The Interior Department outlined steps to open the entire 1.5 million-acre coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling. The area is estimated to contain 10.4 billion barrels of oil, with a potential market value of approximately $700 billion.

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Environmental groups have long opposed drilling in the region, citing threats to the area’s rich biodiversity. The refuge is home to species such as grizzly bears, polar bears, gray wolves, caribou and more than 200 bird species.

The indigenous Gwich’in people consider the land sacred and have voiced opposition to development, though other Alaska Native groups have expressed support for drilling in the state, pointing to potential economic benefits.

How long has this debate been going on?

Industry and environmental interests have long competed in this region, dating back to the late 1920s.

More recently, the Biden administration restricted drilling in the refuge, prompting some oil companies to scale back development plans, but the Trump administration’s latest proposal aims to reverse that.

What other Alaska projects is Trump proposing?

The White House also wants to open up 82% of the 23 million-acre National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska for oil and gas development. This would significantly roll back Biden-era policies that limited drilling to less than half of the reserve.

Additionally, the administration indicated plans to revoke a Biden-era decision blocking the construction of a controversial mining road in Alaska and support further development of a gas pipeline project.

“It’s time for the U.S. to embrace Alaska’s abundant and largely untapped resources as a pathway to prosperity for the nation, including Alaskans,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement.

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The proposed measures are not yet finalized and implementing them will require what could be a lengthy regulatory process before any drilling can take place.