Alaska Lawmakers Celebrate 'Victory' as Federal Reversal Reopens ANWR Oil and Gas Exploration

Alaska's congressional leaders expressed strong support following President Donald Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum's announcement to begin the process of rescinding a Biden-era rule that placed restrictions on oil and gas activities in Section 1002 of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The move marks a significant policy reversal for resource development in one of America’s most energy-rich regions.

At a town hall held in Utqiagvik, the northernmost city in Alaska, Secretary Burgum revealed the administration’s intent to roll back the 2024 rule. The announcement was met with cheers from local residents, many of whom are Iñupiat Natives who rely on energy development for economic stability and basic infrastructure. Senator Dan Sullivan emphasized that responsible oil production has been instrumental in providing essential services for these communities, stating, "Responsible resource development has transformed the lives of the Iñupiat people, supporting the construction of clinics, gymnasiums, water infrastructure—basic amenities most Americans take for granted."

Sullivan sharply criticized the previous administration’s rule, labeling it as "illegal" and contending that it effectively converted vast tracts of land originally designated for domestic energy needs into wilderness areas off-limits to development. He argued that such restrictions jeopardize local jobs, hinder economic growth, and undercut national energy independence.

Interior Secretary Burgum echoed those concerns, arguing that the 2024 regulation "exceeded the federal government’s bounds under the 1976 petroleum reserve law," and created "unnecessary barriers to responsible energy development in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska." He maintained that Congress intended the region to serve American energy security, adding that the previous rule "prioritized obstruction over production."

The proposed rollback earned applause from other members of Alaska’s delegation. Rep. Nick Begich III described the decision as a "major victory," pledging to collaborate with the Trump administration to ensure "responsible resource development" continues. Senator Lisa Murkowski added, "This is a victory not only for those who support responsible development, but also those who believe in the rule of law." She criticized the Biden-era management protocols for violating congressional intent and making it nearly impossible to utilize lands set aside decades ago for oil exploration.

Murkowski further assured that "repealing the rule will not weaken our world-class environmental standards, but it will enable Alaska to produce more energy as Congress intended. The result will be good jobs for Alaskans, more affordable energy for America, and significant new revenues for government."

Governor Mike Dunleavy recalled previous challenges during the prior administration, calling their efforts to limit drilling "brutal on Alaska." Dunleavy reported that land lease sales meant to support local development were deliberately constrained, describing this as a calculated move against Alaska’s economic interests. He now optimistically anticipates renewed opportunities under the Trump administration’s emerging policies.

Senator Murkowski also highlighted revelations that former Interior officials had intentionally structured the restrictive rules to circumvent the Congressional Review Act—a law that recently enabled the Senate to overturn several Biden-era EPA actions through a simple majority vote. The ongoing debate over ANWR and Alaska’s petroleum reserves remains a lightning rod for the broader national conversation about energy, the environment, and states’ rights to manage natural resources.