Murkowski, Sullivan React to Proposed Offshore Oil and Gas Program
Washington, DC – U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (both R-Alaska) today issued the following statement after the Department of the Interior (Interior) released its Draft Proposed Program (DPP) for the 11th National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program, which would guide offshore oil and gas lease sales in federal waters from 2026 to 2031.
“Offshore energy is an important part of our nation’s energy supply and security, and we must have a well-reasoned plan in place to support its responsible development. Much like the Trump administration’s approach in 2018, it’s important to remember that this is the start of a process to strike the right balance, not its end point,” Senator Murkowski said. “In Alaska, we need to focus on Cook Inlet—where we mandated sales through this summer’s budget reconciliation bill—to provide energy for Southcentral and complement our onshore opportunities in the NPR-A and the Coastal Plain. In the months ahead, Interior will need to consult with and fully consider the perspectives of Alaskans to understand why development in some of our waters—especially the offshore Arctic and the Bering Strait—should not be in the final version of this five-year plan.”
“I spoke with Secretary of the Interior Burgum earlier today about the Department of the Interior’s Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program announcement,” said Senator Sullivan. “He committed to me that DOI will continue to carefully listen to Alaskans throughout this process, particularly Alaska Native communities who live near the proposed leasing areas, including our whaling captains who bring generations of experience and deep knowledge of the Arctic Ocean.
“It’s important for Alaskans to know that this draft proposal is not a final decision or a directive that any particular offshore lease sale will occur. Before any potential proposal is finalized, there will be multiple opportunities for public comment, environmental review, and additional analysis. As my office reviews the proposal, I will work to ensure that we are weighing in and amplifying Alaskan voices and views.
“My focus remains on our tremendous potential for responsible resource development in Cook Inlet, the NPR-A, and the ANWR Coastal Plain, areas where resource development can deliver jobs, revenue, and energy security while respecting local voices and ensuring environmental stewardship.”
The DPP keeps most offshore areas available for leasing at this point in the process, contemplating up to 34 potential offshore lease sales in federal waters over a five-year period. This is similar to the approach the Trump administration took in 2018, when they initially proposed 47 offshore lease sales, including 19 in Alaska.
In 2018, Murkowski and Sullivan urged Interior to concentrate agency resources on offshore areas that have the broadest support from Alaskans and they continue to maintain that position.
A 60-day public comment period will begin when the DPP publishes in the Federal Register on Monday, November 24, 2025. More information about the DPP is available here. A Congressional Research Service outline of the federal process for offshore development is below and available here. Today’s announcement represents the second blue box in the top row, indicating how much process remains before leasing, let alone development.
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