Trump administration reopens hundreds of millions of acres for oil drilling

• The Trump administration has reopened oil and gas leasing across 625 million acres of federal waters, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum revoked these Biden-era restrictions and introduced a six-pillar plan to expand domestic energy production.
• The Interior Department’s plan also includes reviewing offshore drilling policies. They will also reevaluate previous oil lease cancellations and expanding mining for non-fuel minerals by lifting bans in South Dakota, Minnesota and Alaska.
• Supporters argue the move boosts energy security and economic growth, while environmental groups warn it prioritizes drilling over environmental protections.

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The Trump administration has announced reopening oil and gas leasing across hundreds of millions of acres of federal lands and waters. This week, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum signed a series of orders. Those orders revoke Biden-era policies that had limited drilling across 625 million acres of federal waters, equivalent in size to a third of the continental United States.

What do the Interior Department’s orders entail?

In addition to federal water acreage that has been reopened for drilling, oil and gas operations can now take place in the 19-million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.

Burgum stated that the administration is committed to expanding domestic energy production. The administration unveiled a six-pillar plan to increase energy output. It includes rolling back regulations and limiting foreign influence in key industries for electricity production.

The plan includes reviewing the Biden administration’s five-year offshore drilling policy, which set the lowest number of lease sales in history, and reevaluating previous oil lease cancellations.

Will this plan have impacts beyond reopening areas for oil drilling?

The Interior Department also wants to expand mining for non-fuel minerals, including rare earth elements. This will reverse previous mining bans in South Dakota, Minnesota and Alaska.

Additionally, the federal agency will participate in a regulatory rollback initiative. The goal is to eliminate at least 10 existing regulations for every new one introduced.

What happens next?

Supporters of the policy change include the National Ocean Industries Association. They contend these actions will enhance energy security, strengthen the economy and reduce reliance on foreign energy sources.

“By addressing burdensome regulatory barriers — including a much-needed reassessment of the inadequate 2024-2029 offshore oil and gas leasing program — these actions will align U.S. energy policy with the nation’s current and future needs,” the National Ocean Industries Association said. “These Secretarial Orders send a powerful message: American energy leadership is back.”

However, environmental groups, such as The Wilderness Society, have expressed opposition, warning that the shift prioritizes drilling over environmental protections.

“We cannot lift communities up and improve people’s lives by worsening climate change, drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or making it cheaper and easier to pollute our air and water,” The Wilderness Society said.