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(The Center Square) — The Biden administration is canceling seven oil and gas concessions in Alaska issued by the Trump administration, it announced Wednesday.
The Home Office suspended the leases, located on 365,000 acres in the Coastal Plain region, in June 2021.
“With climate change warming the Arctic more than twice as fast as the rest of the planet, we must do everything in our power to meet the highest standards of care to protect this fragile ecosystem,” said Home Secretary Deb Haaland. “President Biden is implementing the most ambitious climate and conservation agenda in history. The actions we are taking today reinforce that commitment, based on the best available science and in recognition of the Indigenous knowledge of the original stewards of this region, to safeguard our public lands for future generations.
The Trump administration granted nine leases on more than 430,000 acres shortly before the former president left office, according to an Interior Department press release. The other two leases had previously been terminated at the lessee’s request.
US Senator Dan Sullivan, Republican of Alaska, lambasted the Biden administration in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“This war on Alaska is devastating not only for Alaska but also for the country’s energy security,” Sullivan said. “This illegal cancellation of leases brings us to 55 executive orders and actions specifically targeting Alaska since President Biden took office. This is a grave injustice to the Inupiat people of the North Slope, especially in Kaktovik – the only village in ANWR. this and so many administrator actions, the idea of “fairness” is exploited as a hollow political phrase. »
The public has 45 days to comment. department decision.
“This is another nail in the coffin of the White House lie that Joe Biden is not standing in the way of American energy production,” Daniel Turner, founder and executive director of Power The Future, said in a statement. gas prices, President Biden is working to ensure his radical green agenda comes first.
The DOI also offers new regulations for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, which could limit oil and gas leases in the region. A 60-day comment period will open after it is posted on the National Register, the department said.
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