Latest news with #NationalPetroleumReserve-Alaska
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
US government sparks outrage with controversial decision on massive stretch of public land: 'We won't stay silent'
A sweeping environmental decision is raising major concerns about the future of America's wild spaces. The federal government is moving to roll back protections on a massive stretch of public land in Alaska, potentially opening the door to more dirty energy development in one of the country's most sensitive ecosystems. The U.S. government has announced plans to reverse a major public land safeguard, opening up 23 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) to oil drilling and mining. The move would undo a December 2023 executive order from President Joe Biden that had blocked fossil fuel development in this remote Arctic region. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced the change on June 2, arguing that the earlier protections hindered energy independence, according to reporting by the Guardian. Burgum was joined by EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and Energy Secretary Chris Wright, showing the administration's full-court press in favor of dirty energy expansion. But environmental groups say this shift prioritizes corporate profits over public health and natural heritage. "The Trump administration's move to roll back protections in the most ecologically important areas of the Western Arctic threatens wildlife, local communities, and our climate," Kristen Miller, executive director of the Alaska Wilderness League, explained in a statement. The NPR-A provides essential habitat for caribou, polar bears, and migratory birds, and it's been central to the food, culture, and way of life for Indigenous communities for generations. Opening up this much land to oil and gas drilling could add more pollution to our air and water and disrupt fragile ecosystems. The NPR-A is the largest single stretch of public land in the country and helps keep air clean, protect biodiversity, and support the cultural and economic traditions of local communities. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. More fossil fuel development also adds to the heat-trapping pollution that's warming our planet and straining public health systems. We've already seen backlash to similar Arctic projects, like the Willow Project, a major drilling proposal approved in 2023, which sparked widespread opposition over its long-term risks. Conservation advocates are gearing up to fight back by preparing lawsuits, and grassroots campaigns are gaining traction. "The public fought hard for these protections," Miller said. "We won't stay silent while they're dismantled." At the local level, Utah's push to save the Great Salt Lake is showing what dedicated community action can achieve, and it's inspiring similar efforts nationwide. New York now requires all-electric new buildings, while California is phasing out gas-powered cars. These efforts cut harmful pollution and help speed the shift toward cleaner, healthier energy. You can take part by reducing home energy waste, switching to electric appliances, or choosing a clean electricity plan. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Bloomberg
03-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Alaskan Drilling's Biggest Fan Is Also Its Biggest Hurdle
Alaska has never been short of energy resources, being home to the single biggest oil discovery in US history, Prudhoe Bay. Getting those barrels pumped and sold, however, has always required a hefty push from politicians with their eye on more than just pump prices. A new blitz of energy endeavors in the 49th state by the Trump administration thus fits a longstanding tradition. In this case, however, President Donald Trump is also working against himself. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced this weekend that Trump will soon reverse restrictions on drilling across a swath of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska put in place last year by former President Joe Biden. Burgum was speaking at a town hall in Utqiagvik, seat of the North Slope Borough, which is home to Prudhoe. While Alaska's Arctic is at the sharp edge of climate change, support for new drilling there is strong, since taxes on oil production fund the vast majority of local services. Trump carried Alaska's House district 40, which covers the region, with 51% of the vote, 10 points more than former Vice President Kamala Harris. Burgum is visiting the state along with Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Environmental Protection Agency head Lee Zeldin for talks with potential foreign customers for a long-mooted project to liquefy North Slope gas and sell it in Asia. It all coincides with an annual 'sustainable energy' conference put on by Governor Mike Dunleavy in Anchorage, where Trump's delegation is scheduled to speak.
