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The Interior Department on Thursday rescinded a Biden-era rule that blocked new oil and gas drilling across 13 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska, reopening territory on the state’s North Slope to potential development.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said the decision follows President Donald Trump’s directive to revive domestic energy production and reverse restrictions imposed last year.
“By rescinding the 2024 rule, we are following the direction set by President Trump to unlock Alaska’s energy potential, create jobs for North Slope communities and strengthen American energy security,” Burgum said in a statement. “This action restores common-sense management and ensures responsible development benefits both Alaska and the nation.”
The National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska, established in 1923, was designed to support U.S. energy needs and has long been considered a key strategic resource. The Biden administration’s 2024 limited oil and gas activity in the region, citing environmental protection concerns and the need to curb fossil fuel expansion.
Interior officials said Thursday’s reversal “reduces regulatory burdens and positions the reserve to deliver full economic benefits for the nation and communities on the North Slope.” The policy change will be published in the Federal Register on Nov. 17.
The move marks the latest effort by the Trump administration to unwind Biden-era limits on Arctic energy development. Last month, Trump reopened 1.56 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil and gas leasing, overturning another ban put in place by the previous administration.
Alaska’s Republican leaders have long argued that drilling on federal lands is essential for the state’s economy and for national energy security. Environmental groups have pushed back, warning that renewed development could threaten wildlife and accelerate climate impacts in the Arctic.
The Interior Department did not provide a timeline for when new lease sales might occur under the revised rules.
The move follows the announcement in June to proceed with the effort.
“Congress was clear: the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska was set aside to support America’s energy security through responsible development,” Burgum said at the time. “The 2024 rule ignored that mandate, prioritizing obstruction over production and undermining our ability to harness domestic resources at a time when American energy independence has never been more critical. We’re restoring the balance and putting our energy future back on track.”