AP Photo/Judy Patrick, File
In this undated file photo, drilling operations at the Doyon Rig 19 at the Conoco-Phillips Carbon location in the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, are shown. Alaska’s Congressional delegation released a joint statement Tuesday condemning the Biden Administration’s decision not to pursue development on the reserve, saying it would hurt the state’s economy.

AP Photo/Judy Patrick, File In this undated file photo, drilling operations at the Doyon Rig 19 at the Conoco-Phillips Carbon location in the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaska, are shown. Alaska’s Congressional delegation released a joint statement Tuesday condemning the Biden Administration’s decision not to pursue development on the reserve, saying it would hurt the state’s economy.

Congressional delegation condemns NPR-A development reversal

In joint statement, delegation says move will hurt state economy

Alaska’s congressional delegation released a statement condemning President Joe Biden and the Bureau of Land Management’s decision not to pursue development of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska in a reversal of a decision made by the Trump Administration.

In a joint statement, Alaska’s congressional leaders said the decision would hurt the state’s economy and failed to provide opportunities for responsible resource development.

“With zero analysis or consultation with Alaskans, the Biden administration has decided to upend the NPR-A’s current management plan to return to an outdated policy that is worse for our state’s economy, worse for our nation’s energy security, and contrary to federal law,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said in the statement.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The bureau announced Monday the agency selected Alternative A —the “no action” alternative — as its preferred alternative from the 2020 Integrated Activity Plan Environmental Impact Statement. If confirmed, the Bureau of Land Management, said in a statement, the alternative would revert management of the NPR-A to the 2013 activity plan while including certain more protective lease stipulations and operating procedures for threatened and endangered species from the 2020 plan.

[City reports 2 buildings collapse as continuing rain stresses infrastructure]

“This decision reflects the Biden-Harris administration’s priority of reviewing existing oil and gas programs to ensure balance on America’s public lands and waters to benefit current and future generations,”the bureau said.

Alaska’s federal lawmakers said the move was counterintuitive to a balanced approach to environmental conservation and resource development.

“Our state has proven that conservation and energy development can go hand in hand,” said Rep. Don Young, R-Alaska. “Despite this, the Administration continues working to stifle American energy production and economic opportunity in Alaska.”

In a statement, environmental group the Center for Biological Diversity lauded the move but said the administration needed to do more to protect the environment.

“This is better than the Trump-era plan it replaces but far short of what’s needed to address the climate emergency,” said Kristen Monsell, a senior attorney at CBD. “No amount of mitigation measures can change the fact that more Arctic drilling means more climate chaos, more oil spills and more harm to local communities and polar bears.”

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, said the decision reflected an ongoing assault by the Biden Administration on Alaska’s way of life.

“Reverting back to the 2013 management plan is not only arbitrary and contrary to good science, it will be harmful to the very people and issues the Biden administration purports to care most about—indigenous communities, and racial and environmental equity, Sullivan said. “Instead, the Biden White House is taking its orders from radical extreme environmental groups who care nothing about Alaskans.”

The Biden administration’s decision was also criticized by Gov. Mike Dunleavy, who issued a statement saying the move would make the nation more dependent on foreign oil.

“This is another sign of the federal government turning its back on Alaska and hampering domestic energy production,” Dunleavy said.

The bureau said the decision will be confirmed in a status report filed Monday with the U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska. The agency also said it will advise the court it has prepared a draft Determination of National Environmental Policy Act Adequacy finding that the existing 2020 IAP/EIS and its subsistence evaluation are adequate, and additional analysis is not necessary for the Department to select the preferred alternative.

• Contact reporter Peter Segall at psegall@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @SegallJnuEmpire.

More in News

Robert Weaver was last seen at the Doroshin Bay public use cabin on June 25, 2025. (Photo provided by the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge)
Kenai wildlife refuge seeking information on missing man

Robert Weaver was last seen near Skilak Lake on June 25.

The Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team conducts a training mission in Seward, Alaska in 2024. Photo courtesy of the Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team
Anchor Point fundraiser to benefit Alaska rescue and recovery group

Alaska Dive Search Rescue and Recovery Team is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization established in 2016.

Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic staff (left to right) Angie Holland, RN; Jane Rohr, Sonja Martin Young, CNM; Robin Holmes, MD; and Cherie Bole, CMA provide an array of reproductive and sexual health services. (Photo provided by KBFPC)
Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic releases report on STI trends on the Kenai Peninsula

The report pulls from data gathered from 2024 to early 2025.

Pool manager and swim coach Will Hubler leads a treading water exercise at Kenai Central High School in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Swimmers, parents call on Kenai to support Kenai Central pool

The KPBSD Board of Education last week said communities will need to step up and take over administration of pools within the next year.

Traffic passes by South Spruce Street in Kenai, Alaska, on Tuesday, June 10, 2025. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai drops effort to rename South Spruce Street

The resolution would have changed the name to make it clear which road led to North Kenai Beach

Gov. Mike Dunleavy compares Alaska to Mississippi data on poverty, per-pupil education spending, and the 2024 National Assessment of Education Progress fourth grade reading scores during a press conference on Jan. 31, 2025. Alaska is highlighted in yellow, while Mississippi is in red. (Jasz Garrett / Juneau Empire)
Dunleavy calls special session for August

Lawmakers on Wednesday said they were surprised by the move.

A makeshift coffin decrying the risks of Medicaid funding cuts is seen on Thursday, June 26, in front of the Blazy Mall in Soldotna. The cuts were included in legislation passed by the U.S. Senate early Tuesday morning. (Photo by Jonas Oyoumick/Peninsula Clarion)
Ahead of Senate vote, Soldotna protesters defend Medicaid funding

Cuts to the program were included in legislation passed by the U.S. Senate early Tuesday morning.

Board President Zen Kelly speaks during a meeting of the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District’s Board of Education in Soldotna, Alaska, on Monday, Dec. 2, 2024. (Jake Dye/Peninsula Clarion)
Kenai Peninsula Borough school board to finalize budget

The new budget designed by the committee will be considered at a public hearing during the full board meeting on Monday evening.

Most Read