The US opens up the Alaska Wildlife Refuge to oil and Gas Development

The Trump administration announced on Thursday a series steps to open the Alaskan wilderness for energy and infrastructure development. This includes resuming leasing of oil and gas in remote Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The Interior Department said in a statement that it will reopen the full 1.5-million-acre (0.6-million-hectare) Coastal Plain of the ANWR to leasing, reversing moves by former President Joe Biden's administration to restrict drilling in the area.

The Department will also restore canceled leases of oil and gas to the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority. This state agency was one of the few bidders in an auction for drilling rights in ANWR that took place in the last days of the first Trump administration.

Alaska officials have sought these moves in line with Trump's promise of boosting domestic energy development.

"From the very beginning, President Trump has directed us to unlock Alaska’s energy and resources potential while honoring our commitments to Alaska and its local communities," Interior secretary Doug Burgum stated in a press release.

By reopening and improving the Coastal Plain, we will strengthen energy independence, create jobs, and support Alaska's communities, while driving economic development across the entire state. (Reporting and editing by Nichola Kroom)

(source: Reuters)