Today, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced new plans to increase oil and gas development in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"Today's announcement is another promise made and kept by the Trump administration. Secretary Burgum is overturning draconian rules that locked up our resources and stifled energy production in Alaska's North Slope. By overturning these radical Biden-era rules, the Trump administration is returning to commonsense policies, supporting Alaska Native communities and unlocking the full potential of our nation's energy resources."

Background

Today's announcement will repeal a Biden administration rulemaking that locked up large swathes of the NPR-A for oil and gas production. The Trump administration’s announcement received immediate positive feedback from Alaska Native communities when the actions were formally announced in Utqiagvik, Alaska.

This new measure is a direct response to support President Trump's Executive Order 14153, "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential," and will grant clarity to operators in the region who are working to move forward with critical energy development projects.