Trump and Burgum move to repeal Biden-era rule limiting oil development in Alaska’s ANWR, hailed as legal and economic win.

Alaska Officials Celebrate Shift in Federal Energy Policy

Alaska’s congressional delegation hailed President Donald Trump and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum for beginning the formal process of overturning a controversial rule from the Biden administration that restricted oil and gas exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

The announcement came during a town hall hosted by Burgum in Utqiagvik, Alaska’s northernmost community, where local residents welcomed the decision. Senator Dan Sullivan emphasized the importance of oil production for the region’s Iñupiat people, who have long depended on responsible development for essential infrastructure like clinics, clean water systems, and community centers.

“The Biden rule was illegal,” Sullivan said, arguing that it effectively converted areas designated for energy production into “de facto wilderness” without congressional approval. He credited responsible resource development with improving the lives of Alaska Natives, calling it a matter of basic quality of life.

According to Burgum, the 2024 rule imposed restrictions that exceeded federal authority under the 1976 petroleum reserve law. “Congress was clear: the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska was set aside to support America’s energy security through responsible development,” he stated. The now-rescinded rule, he added, placed ideology above production and energy needs.

Legal and Legislative Context

The rollback is viewed by state officials as both a reaffirmation of congressional intent and a rebalancing of energy and environmental policy. Representative Nick Begich III described the move as a “major victory” for supporters of lawful and pragmatic resource use. Senator Lisa Murkowski echoed the sentiment, declaring the rule’s repeal a win for “the rule of law.”

“The 2024 management rule clearly violated the law,” Murkowski said, accusing the previous administration of trying to turn Alaska’s North Slope into “one giant tract of federal wilderness.” She assured that repealing the rule would not compromise environmental standards but would restore economic opportunity through energy production.

Governor Mike Dunleavy also supported the decision, citing his longstanding concern that the final land lease sales under Biden were designed to fail. “The Biden administration has been brutal on Alaska,” he said. He commended the Trump administration for honoring historic processes and giving the state a fair path forward.

Murkowski further revealed that a former Interior official had admitted the restrictive rule was crafted in a way to bypass the Congressional Review Act, a law that has since been used by Senate Republicans to repeal other Biden-era environmental regulations.

With the reversal now underway, the Trump administration is expected to restore broader access to Section 1002 of ANWR. State leaders believe this will result in new job creation, more affordable domestic energy, and significant revenue for both state and federal governments—while preserving high environmental standards.