Juneau, Alaska – In a significant move that has sparked controversy, the Biden administration has canceled the remaining oil and gas leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The decision also includes stronger protections against development in the vast National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. This decision, announced on Wednesday, overturns leases granted during the final days of the Trump administration.
The cancellation of these leases comes after the Biden administration faced criticism earlier this year for approving the Willow oil project in the petroleum reserve, a massive undertaking by ConocoPhillips Alaska. The Willow project could potentially produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil daily in the petroleum-rich North Slope of Alaska. Now, protections are proposed for over 20,000 square miles of land in the western Arctic.
Critics of the Willow project, which some saw as inconsistent with President Biden’s climate change commitments, have applauded the cancellation of the ANWR leases. However, they argue that more actions are needed to address environmental concerns, with litigation still pending regarding the Willow project’s approval.
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“Alaska is home to many of America’s most breathtaking natural wonders and culturally significant areas. As the climate crisis warms the Arctic more than twice as fast as the rest of the world, we have a responsibility to protect this treasured region for all ages,” President Biden stated.
The President emphasized that these actions align with the urgency of the climate crisis and aim to protect the environment for future generations.
However, not everyone is pleased with these developments. Alaska’s Republican governor has condemned Biden’s actions and threatened legal action. Some Democratic lawmakers also expressed concerns about potential negative impacts on Indigenous communities in the region, where oil development plays a vital role in the local economy.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who faced criticism for her role in approving the Willow project, assured that “no one will have rights to drill for oil in one of the most sensitive landscapes on earth.” Nevertheless, a 2017 law mandates another lease sale by late 2024, which the administration intends to comply with.
In addition to canceling ANWR leases, the Biden administration has introduced proposed rules to provide stronger protections against new leasing and development in areas of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska designated for wildlife, subsistence, scenic, or other values. These proposed rules will undergo a public comment period, but the Willow project is not expected to be affected by them.
The coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, covering 1.5 million acres along Alaska’s northeastern edge, holds great significance for the Indigenous Gwich’in people. It serves as a crucial migratory route and birthing ground for caribou, while also supporting diverse wildlife, including polar bears and wolves.
Alaska’s political leaders have long advocated for oil and gas drilling in ANWR, citing its economic impact on Indigenous communities, especially in an area with limited employment opportunities. Many of these leaders had also pushed for the approval of the Willow project.
While environmental groups celebrated the ANWR lease cancellations, they called on Congress to repeal the leasing provision from the 2017 law and permanently protect the coastal plain from drilling.
Jamie Williams, president of the Wilderness Society, remarked, “It is nearly impossible to overstate the importance of today’s announcements for Arctic conservation. Our climate is a bit safer, and there is renewed hope for permanently protecting one of the last great wild landscapes in America.”
Alaska Republican U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan characterized Biden’s actions as part of what he called a “war on Alaska.”
Two other leases issued in the first-of-its-kind sale for ANWR in January 2021 were previously surrendered by the small companies that held them due to legal uncertainties surrounding the drilling program.
President Biden initiated a temporary moratorium on leasing activities after taking office, calling for a review of the program. Interior Secretary Haaland later ordered a new environmental review, citing “multiple legal deficiencies” in the Trump-era leasing program.
The cancellation of these leases is seen as a major step in addressing climate concerns and protecting the pristine Arctic environment. However, the future of oil and gas development in the region remains a contentious issue that will likely continue to be debated in the years to come.
