Latest Interior Moves Will Restore Balanced Management in Alaska’s Petroleum Reserve
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Congressman Nick Begich (all R-AK) today expressed their strong support for the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) rescission of three policy documents released by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) at or near the end of the last administration. The documents were part of an unlawful, politically motivated campaign to restrict future development in the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska (NPR-A).
“This latest announcement builds on the progress we have made throughout this year to return to the rule of law for resource development in Alaska. While the last administration sought to shut down our petroleum reserve – and refused to meaningfully consult with the Alaska Natives who actually live on the North Slope – Secretary Burgum and his team are decisively correcting that course,” Senator Murkowski said. “These rescissions are another key step to restoring balanced management that provides renewed opportunity to explore for and responsibly produce the NPR-A’s prolific resources.”
“For four years, the Biden administration and their far-left eco-colonialist allies fought to lock up the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska, one of the most prolific oil basins in the world specifically set aside by Congress for responsible resource development,” said Senator Sullivan. “But under the Trump administration, it is a new day filled with opportunity for Alaskans. Secretary Burgum rescinded three of the key policy documents that were issued by the Biden administration to lock up NPR-A, shut down Alaska’s economy, and defy the voices of Alaska Native leaders of the North Slope. I want to commend Secretary Burgum for taking action on behalf of Alaskans, our jobs and economy, and for faithfully implementing President Trump’s comprehensive, Day One, Alaska-specific executive order. Between this order and the key resource provisions for Alaska in the One Big Beautiful Bill, we are on the cusp of a historic opportunity to bolster our resource development economy, dramatically increase revenues to the State of Alaska, and create thousands of good-paying jobs for our hard-working families.”
“This announcement builds upon the tremendous strides we have made to open up Alaska for responsible resource development and puts us on a path towards a more secure energy future,” said Congressman Begich. “The Biden Administration’s relentless and unlawful attempts to lock up Alaska’s abundant resources and shut down our strategic petroleum reserves weakened our national energy independence and stifled economic opportunity. The rescission of these misguided policies marks an important course correction for our state. I commend President Trump and Secretary Burgum for recognizing the strategic importance of Alaska’s energy resources and taking focused steps to open access to our lands in the NPR-A. The North Slope, and the NPR-A in particular, is a cornerstone of responsible oil and gas development in Alaska. With our vast petroleum reserves and strong track record of resource stewardship, we are uniquely positioned to meet America’s long term energy needs. Under the leadership of President Trump, balance is being restored. Alaska is now firmly on the same pathway as the rest of the United States, one that leads to greater prosperity and abundance for all.”
The NPR-A spans roughly 23 million acres, an area the size of Indiana, in northwest Alaska. Congress specifically set the area aside for energy development, directing DOI, through BLM, to conduct an “expeditious program of competitive leasing of oil and gas.” Instead of following that directive, the Biden administration refused to hold a single lease sale in the reserve while repeatedly moving to reduce access, delaying project approvals, and layering on new restrictions to prevent future development.
BLM has now rescinded the following policy documents:
- A request for information entitled “Special Areas within the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska” that published in the Federal Register in July 2024;
- A report entitled “Maximizing Protection in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska” published in January 2025; and
- A BLM memorandum entitled “BLM Interim Management of Special Areas within the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska” published in January 2025.
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