The Biden administration is being sued by Alaska for allegedly imposing "unreasonable" restrictions on oil and gas drilling mandates from the Trump era.
In December, Biden narrowed the Alaska oil and gas lease.
The state of Alaska filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, alleging that they breached a Trump-era law by limiting the scope of an oil and gas lease.
In his first term, President-elect Donald Trump signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, mandating that the government permit at least two oil and gas drilling lease sales in the ANWR's Coastal Plain by December 2024.
The Biden administration recently announced plans to proceed with an oil and gas lease sale of 400,000 acres in the northwest portion of the program area, despite some restrictions in the lease, which was the smallest amount required under the Trump-era law.
On Monday, the state of Alaska filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, alleging that they are in violation of Congress's statutory mandate by restricting drilling in the region.
Alaska's Republican Gov. Mike Dunleavy stated that the continued and irrational opposition of the Interior to responsible energy development in the Arctic under the Biden administration is keeping America on a path of energy dependence instead of utilizing the vast resources available.
In 1980, President Carter designated "Area 1002" within ANWR for the possible future exploitation and development of natural resources.
The Biden administration's decision to limit drilling in the region negates Congress' call for oil and gas leasing and development on the Coastal Plain, according to the state of Alaska.
Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor stated that President Biden's Administration disregarded the law and proceeded with an unlawful detour in ANWR without obtaining public comment on their final decision.
The Biden administration imposed limitations on the lease, including restrictions on surface use and occupancy, which the complaint alleges would render any development economically and practically unfeasible.
The lease sale on Jan. 9 is imminent, with a lawsuit having been filed only days prior.
The Department of Interior declined to comment on the lawsuit.
politics
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