Trump Administration revokes Biden's limits on Alaskan oil drilling

The Trump Administration finalized on Thursday its rollback of Biden's limits on oil-and-gas drilling in Alaska, the largest area of public land that has not been disturbed by humans.

This move is in line with the goal of President Donald Trump to reduce restrictions on domestic gas and oil development, especially in resource-rich Alaska.

Biden's rule 2024 prohibited oil and natural gas leasing on 10,6 million acres (4.3 millions hectares) in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve, while restricting development on over 2 million acres.

In a press release, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum stated that by rescinding 2024, we were following President Trump's direction to unlock Alaska’s energy potential, creating jobs for North Slope Communities and strengthening American energy security. This action brings back common sense management and assures benefits to Alaska and the United States.

Voice of the Arctic Inupiat - an Alaska Native group - said that they supported the rollback, because the drilling infrastructure contributed to the region’s tax revenue and helped support services such as healthcare and education. (Reporting and editing by Bill Berkrot; Reporting by Nichola Grroom)

(source: Reuters)