The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will open bids for Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil lease rights on January 10th, 2025. Federal offices will close on January 8th to honor the late President Jimmy Carter, prompting the one-day delay.
The Lease sale follows a federal mandate from 2017 legislation requiring two sales within the refuge’s coastal plain, each offering 400,000 acres. The Biden administration added stricter environmental safeguards, which drew criticism from development advocates.
Furthermore, the first sale in 2021, led by the Trump administration, attracted bids mainly from the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, with no significant oil firms participating. Environmental groups and Gwich’in indigenous leaders strongly oppose drilling, emphasizing the area’s importance as a Caribou calving ground and cultural sight.
Advocacy for protection continues, backed by the late President Carter’s environmental efforts. Conversely, Alaska officials and Inupiat organizations support development for its potential economic benefits, including royalties from Inupiat-owned mineral rights within the refuge.
Despite the longstanding debate, the Biden administration’s added safeguards intensify concerns from advocates seeking more accessible oil exploration in the region. With the rescheduled date, the Department of the Interior plans to accept bids until January 6th while maintaining all other sale conditions.
However, as discussions persist over balancing development and environmental protection, this event adds a new chapter to the ongoing Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil lease controversy.
This news article was originally published by Alaska Beacon.
