The Trump administration suggested making 82% of the 9.3-million-hectare National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska available for oil and gas extraction. This move challenges ex-President Joe Biden's initiatives to limit drilling in the region, according to information released by the US Department of the Interior (DOI).
In 2022, the previous administration prevented development in certain areas of the reserve to safeguard the lifestyles of indigenous communities and wildlife habitats.
The current proposal is designed to generate jobs for Americans, lessen the nation's reliance on foreign oil, and take advantage of its extensive energy resources, said Adam Suess, the DOI’s official.
Reuters reports the public has 14 days to provide feedback on the draft to the Department's Bureau of Land Management.