The Biden administration halted drilling and mining in Alaska, reversing a Trump-era decision to permit resource development on 28 million acres. This action is consistent with Biden’s overarching Alaska land protection policy designed to preserve significant public spaces. Conversely, in his final days in office, former President Trump had advocated for authorizing oil and gas development in this region. However, upon Biden’s assumption of office, the Department of the Interior under his administration suspended the order. It resolved to conduct a comprehensive environmental assessment that considered the concerns of the local and indigenous communities.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland stated that they reached this determination after an exhaustive public process involving Alaska Native Tribes and Native Corporations. Haaland emphasized that Indigenous engagement should be mandatory, not optional when government actions could have long-term effects on tribal communities. She also commended the Bureau of Land Management for incorporating the perspectives of Alaska Native tribal leaders and communities into the decision-making process.
Biden’s new land conservation regulations have already suspended significant initiatives, such as the Ambler Access Project. Ambler Metals recommended constructing a 211-mile industrial route to access a substantial copper mine in the vicinity. However, Biden’s administration expressed environmental concerns, leading to the initiative’s suspension, which was initially authorized during the Trump administration. Additionally, the Biden administration implemented measures to safeguard animal habitats by restricting oil and gas exploitation on 40% of Alaska’s National Petroleum Preserve.
These measures are part of Biden’s broader objective to safeguard 30% of the nation’s water and land resources. Alaskan senators argue that these safeguards conflict with the nation’s green energy objectives, as they restrict access to essential minerals like copper and lithium in federally protected areas. Despite these concerns, Biden’s commitment to conservation is evident in the Alaska land protection policy.
