The Trump administration has moved to overturn regulations implemented by the Biden administration that limited energy development in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve (NPR-A). These restrictions, finalized in 2024, curtailed oil and gas exploration across approximately 13.3 million acres of the 23 million-acre reserve, prompting criticism from industry leaders, Alaskan officials, and some tribal representatives. On Monday, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the decision to reverse these rules, emphasizing the need to prioritize energy production to bolster national security and economic growth.
Burgum stated, “Congress was clear: the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska was set aside to support America’s energy security through responsible development. 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.”
According to the Department of the Interior, the Biden-era rules exceeded the agency’s authority under the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976 by imposing stringent procedural requirements and creating a presumption against oil and gas activities in designated “Special Areas” unless operators could demonstrate minimal environmental impact.
Impact on Alaska’s Energy and Economic Landscape
The Biden administration’s 2024 regulations banned oil and gas drilling on 10.6 million acres of the NPR-A and introduced additional protections for another 2.7 million acres, effectively locking up over half of the reserve. The NPR-A, established to ensure a domestic energy supply, is estimated to hold 895 million barrels of oil and 52.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, according to the Institute for Energy Research.
These restrictions followed the Biden administration’s controversial approval of the $8 billion Willow Project in 2023, a major oil development initiative that sparked protests from environmental groups concerned about climate impacts and habitat disruption.
In response, the administration tightened regulations on further development in the reserve and denied a permit for a 211-mile industrial road to access a significant copper deposit in Alaska.
Alaska’s sole U.S. House Representative, Nick Begich, welcomed the Trump administration’s reversal, stating on X, “Alaska’s right to self-determination is being restored. Thank you @SecretaryBurgum and @POTUS for your leadership and recognizing Alaska’s extraordinary resource potential.”
Supporters of the reversal argue that unlocking the NPR-A’s resources could reduce U.S. reliance on foreign energy, lower fuel prices, and stimulate Alaska’s economy through job creation and infrastructure development.
The Alaska Oil and Gas Association noted in a 2024 statement that the Biden restrictions threatened thousands of jobs and billions in state revenue, emphasizing the economic stakes for the region.
Balancing Energy Development and Environmental Concerns
The decision to reverse the Biden-era rules has reignited debate over balancing energy development with environmental protection.
Environmental groups, such as the Sierra Club, have criticized the rollback, arguing that expanded drilling in the NPR-A threatens fragile Arctic ecosystems, including habitats for polar bears, caribou, and migratory birds.
A 2024 report from the Natural Resources Defense Council highlighted that oil and gas activities in the reserve could exacerbate climate change, given the Arctic’s sensitivity to warming.
Conversely, proponents of development, including some Alaskan Native communities, argue that responsible resource extraction supports local economies and energy security without compromising environmental stewardship.
The Department of the Interior emphasized that the Trump administration’s approach includes streamlining regulations not only for oil and gas but also for mining, forestry, and fishing, aiming to foster sustainable development across Alaska.
The reversal aligns with President Trump’s agenda to prioritize domestic energy production, as evidenced by his early executive actions to expedite regulatory processes for Alaskan resource development.
However, critics warn that loosening restrictions could lead to long-term environmental costs, while supporters counter that the U.S. needs to leverage its natural resources to address energy affordability and geopolitical challenges.
