A sweeping reversal of federal land policy sets the stage for one of the largest energy expansions on U.S. soil in decades.
The Trump administration took one of its biggest steps yet toward reshaping U.S. energy policy on Thursday, formally revoking Biden-era limits on oil and gas development across a vast stretch of federally controlled land in Alaska. The move dismantles a 2024 regulation issued under President Joe Biden that had blocked new leasing on 10.6 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska (NPRA) and imposed additional restrictions on another 2 million acres.
The decision immediately reopens some of the most resource-rich territory in the United States, potentially setting off a wave of new exploration, investment, and infrastructure development across the Arctic region.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, announcing the final rule rescinding Biden’s restrictions, said the administration was acting on a clear directive from President Donald Trump: expand U.S. domestic energy production and restore momentum to Alaska’s long-stagnant oil sector.
“By rescinding the 2024 rule, we are following the direction set by President Trump to unlock Alaska’s energy potential, create jobs for North Slope communities and strengthen American energy security,” Burgum said.
“This action restores common-sense management and ensures responsible development benefits for both Alaska and the nation.”
The National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska: A Century-Old Strategic Asset
The NPRA, a sprawling 23-million-acre expanse along Alaska’s remote Arctic coastline, has been both prized and disputed for nearly a century.
Created in 1923 as an emergency fuel reserve for the Navy, the region contains some of the largest untapped oil and gas fields in North America. Over the decades, shifting political priorities have repeatedly altered how the reserve is managed, with Democratic administrations emphasizing environmental safeguards and Republican administrations prioritizing resource extraction.
The Biden administration’s 2024 rule represented one of the most restrictive federal actions imposed on the NPRA, effectively closing half of the reserve to new development and tightening standards across millions more acres. Environmental groups hailed the move as essential to safeguarding fragile Arctic ecosystems and limiting carbon emissions.
But Alaska state leaders, North Slope communities, and Republican lawmakers argued that the restrictions placed unbearable limits on economic growth and undermined America’s long-term energy security.
Thursday’s decision marks a decisive return to the latter philosophy.
A Final Rule With Major Consequences
According to the Interior Department, the Trump administration has now issued a final rule fully reversing the Biden-era regulation. The rescission is expected to be published in the Federal Register on Friday.
Once effective, the new rule:
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Reopens 13 million acres for oil and gas leasing
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Removes restrictions on another 2 million acres
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Streamlines permitting for energy companies
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Expands access to critical infrastructure corridors
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Signals federal support for Arctic energy development
The change represents one of the largest single expansions of American drilling access in modern history.
Trump officials argue that opening more Arctic land will:
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create thousands of high-paying jobs
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generate billions in federal and state revenues
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support U.S. energy dominance
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reduce reliance on foreign oil
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revitalize struggling local economies
Energy analysts agree that the move could dramatically reshape the U.S. domestic oil landscape over the next decade.
Alaska Native Leaders Welcome the Rollback
Among the strongest supporters of the decision is Voice of the Arctic Inupiat, a coalition of Alaska Native organizations representing the North Slope.
For years, the group has argued that oil development is not a threat to their communities—but a lifeline.
The organization praised the administration’s reversal, noting that:
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Oil and gas revenue funds essential services
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Drilling supports local healthcare, schools, and emergency services
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Industry employment sustains local economies
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Responsible extraction can coexist with environmental protection
They view the Biden rule as a top-down policy crafted without sufficient input from the people who actually live in the region.
Trump’s rescission, they said, restores balance to federal policy.
Biden’s Restrictions: A Flashpoint in Energy Politics
Biden’s 2024 NPRA rule was part of a broader effort to curb fossil fuel development, accelerate renewable energy adoption, and implement climate-related safeguards across federal land. The regulation:
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Restricted leasing in ecologically sensitive zones
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Tightened development standards
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Limited road and infrastructure expansion
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Imposed new air-quality and wildlife protections
Democrats argued that the NPRA was too environmentally fragile to permit large-scale drilling, especially in light of accelerating climate change.
But Republicans countered that the rule:
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hampered national energy production
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discouraged investment
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weakened pipeline infrastructure
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led to job losses across Alaska
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increased reliance on foreign oil
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obstructed access to key minerals needed for new technologies
The clash became emblematic of the wider partisan divide over how the United States should fuel its economy during a period of rapid technological change.
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline: A Symbol of What’s at Stake
To understand the importance of the NPRA, it helps to look at the massive infrastructure built to support it — most notably, the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS).
Constructed between 1974 and 1977, TAPS:
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stretches 800 miles across Alaska
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carries oil from Prudhoe Bay to the port of Valdez
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crosses permafrost, rivers, and mountain ranges
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required innovative engineering solutions
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once moved over 2 million barrels per day
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remains one of the most ambitious energy projects in U.S. history
Though throughput has declined over the years as fields matured, the pipeline continues to supply thousands of jobs and a significant share of Alaska’s revenue.
Energy companies argue that expanded NPRA access could restore the pipeline’s volume and extend its lifespan well into the 21st century.
A Broader Reversal of Biden’s Climate Agenda
Thursday’s action aligns with a broader pattern: President Trump’s aggressive dismantling of Biden-era environmental and energy policies.
During his term, Biden had:
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halted or reversed several oil and gas projects
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restricted federal leases
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moved to close coal plants
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advanced emissions reduction mandates
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invested heavily in solar and wind energy
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pursued carbon-neutral goals by 2050
But critics say Biden overreached, leaving the U.S. lagging in energy supply during a moment of skyrocketing demand driven by:
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AI data-center energy consumption
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semiconductor manufacturing
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electric vehicle expansion
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post-pandemic industrial growth
Trump officials argue that loosening restrictions is essential not just for economic recovery but for technological competitiveness.
“America cannot lead the next century if it cannot power the next century,” one administration official said privately.
Environmental Groups Respond Sharply
Environmental advocates condemned the decision within hours.
Several organizations accused the administration of prioritizing short-term profits over long-term climate stability. They warn that expanded drilling could:
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threaten wildlife habitats
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increase carbon emissions
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destabilize permafrost regions
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exacerbate climate-related disasters
Lawsuits are almost certain. Multiple groups have already hinted they will challenge the rescission under:
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the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
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the Endangered Species Act
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administrative procedure grounds
However, such challenges face an uphill battle given the wide discretion federal agencies have over land management.
Conclusion: A Defining Moment in U.S. Energy Policy
The Trump administration’s decision to overturn Biden’s NPRA restrictions marks a historic pivot for American energy policy.
For supporters, it is a long-awaited return to pragmatic resource development, economic opportunity, and national energy independence.
For critics, it is a dangerous acceleration of fossil fuel extraction at a time when the world is trying to avoid climate catastrophe.
For Alaska, it may shape the economy for decades.
And for the nation, it is another reminder that when the White House changes hands, energy policy can shift dramatically—reshaping millions of acres, billions of dollars in investment, and the strategic direction of the United States.
Adrian Hawthorne is a celebrated author and dedicated archivist who finds inspiration in the hidden stories of the past. Educated at Oxford, he now works at the National Archives, where preserving history fuels his evocative writing. Balancing archival precision with creative storytelling, Adrian founded the Hawthorne Institute of Literary Arts to mentor emerging writers and honor the timeless art of narrative.