U.S. Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum has announced significant actions aimed at unlocking Alaska’s vast and largely untapped natural resource reserves, aligning with President Donald J. Trump’s vision of American Energy Dominance.
According to a press release, the Bureau of Land Management will pursue steps to expand opportunities for exploration and development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The BLM will also work towards partial revocation of public land withdrawals that will help solidify the path forward for the proposed Ambler Road and Alaska Liquified Natural Gas Pipeline projects.
“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,” said Secretary Burgum. “For far too long, the federal government has created too many barriers to capitalizing on the state’s energy potential. Interior is committed to recognizing the central role the State of Alaska plays in meeting our nation’s energy needs, while providing tremendous economic opportunity for Alaskans.”
In this initial suite of actions to implement Executive Order 14153 and Secretary’s Order 3422, both titled “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential,” the Interior and BLM will pursue:
- Reopening up to 82% of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska available to leasing and expanding energy development opportunities in the approximately 23-million-acre reserve. This plan would balance the Secretary’s responsibilities to provide for oil and gas leasing, exploration and development consistent with the energy needs of the nation and protect important surface resources in the reserve.
- Reinstating a program that makes the entire 1.56-million-acre Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge available for oil and gas leasing. This program would fulfill Congress’ intent in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and advance American Energy Dominance, while maintaining strong protections for important surface resources and uses in the Coastal Plain
- Revoking withdrawals along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Corridor and Dalton Highway north of the Yukon River in order to convey these lands to State of Alaska. This action would help pave the way forward for the proposed Ambler Road and the Alaska Liquified Natural Gas Pipeline project, two projects that stand to increase job opportunities and encourage Alaska’s economic growth.
Governor Mike Dunleavy issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Interior announcing its initial steps to implement the “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential” executive order and secretary’s order.
“The announcement today from the Department of Interior is more great news for Alaska. I want to thank President Trump and Interior Secretary Burgum for their commitment to work on behalf of Alaska to ensure that our great state and its resources can continue to be a solution for many of America’s challenges. The news today will provide more investment opportunities, more jobs, and a better future for Alaskans. We look forward to our continued work with President Trump and his administration to move Alaska and our country forward.” – Governor Mike Dunleavy
“This is wonderful news for Alaska. Secretary Burgum recognizes Alaska’s incredible resource potential and the increasingly onerous restrictions that have been put in place—over our objections—to stop us from responsibly producing and reaching our full potential as a state. He recognizes our petroleum reserve as a petroleum reserve, the Coastal Plain as our nation’s most prospective source for conventional oil and gas, and the need to move forward on both the Ambler Road and AKLNG,” Senator Murkowski said. “These are the first steps to restoring reasonable access to our federal lands and the federal government fulfilling the terms of our statehood compact from nearly 70 years ago—all achieved by simply partnering with Alaskans and following the law. I thank President Trump and Secretary Burgum for working with us to put Alaska back where it belongs—not just on the map, but right at the heart of our nation’s resource policies.”
“DOI’s announcement today—which implements key elements of President Trump’s day-one executive order to unleash Alaska’s extraordinary resource potential—is great news for our state and once again, proves that we have a partner in progress in this administration,” said Senator Sullivan. “As the incoming Trump administration was crafting the Alaska EO, Governor Dunleavy and I worked directly with them to make sure these three vital provisions were included. Opening the ANWR Coastal Plain and the NPR-A to responsible resource development has been a longtime goal for Alaska’s congressional delegation, Republican presidential administrations, and leaders in Alaska. Additionally, DOI’s order today lifts land withdrawals along the Dalton Highway Corridor, which contains the lifeblood of Alaska—the Trans-Alaska Pipeline—and allows those lands to be conveyed to the State of Alaska, securing this vital artery for future resource development, including access to the Ambler Mining District and the right-of-way for a future Alaska LNG pipeline. I want to thank President Trump and DOI Secretary Burgum for fulfilling their commitment to unleash our state and help us realize a future of wealth, sustainable private sector economic growth, and good-paying jobs for our working families.”
“The Department of the Interior’s decision is a major step toward securing Alaska’s place at the forefront of America’s energy future. By opening access to the National Petroleum Reserve, ANWR, and critical infrastructure corridors, we are reaffirming that Alaska’s vast resources should be developed to benefit both our state and the entire nation. Now is the time to deliver affordable, reliable energy to households and businesses in Alaska and beyond. I will continue working with the Alaska delegation to lead efforts in Congress to codify these actions – ensuring that no future administration can stall the progress that is vital to Alaska’s prosperity,” said Congressman Begich.
Earlier this year, President Trump committed to unlocking Alaska’s abundant supply of natural resources for the benefit of Alaskans and the nation, providing economic and national security for many generations to come. Through these actions and more to come, Interior is set to deliver on the President’s promise.