The Biden administration expanded federal protections across millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness on Friday, blocking oil, gas and mining operations in some of the most unspoiled land in the country.
It also announced it would ban drilling in more than half of the 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, an ecologically sensitive expanse north of the Arctic Circle.
Together, the two moves amount to one of biggest efforts in history to shield Alaskan land from drilling and mining.
They are expected to face challenges from industry as well as from elected leaders in Alaska, where oil and gas revenues make up much of the state’s budget and where mining is a main driver of the economy.
“Alaska’s majestic and rugged lands and waters are among the most remarkable and healthy landscapes in the world, sustaining a vibrant subsistence economy for Alaska Native communities,” President Biden said in a statement.
Mr. Biden has also expanded the boundaries of several national monuments.
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On Friday, the Biden administration extended federal protections over millions of acres of Alaskan wilderness, preventing mining, oil, and gas development in some of the nation’s most pristine areas.
The state of Alaska sought to build an industrial road through the Arctic National Park and Preserve’s gates to access a substantial copper deposit estimated to be worth $7.5 billion, but the Interior Department announced that it would not grant the permit. Additionally, it declared that drilling would not be permitted in more than half of the 23 million-acre National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, an area north of the Arctic Circle that is ecologically delicate.
When combined, the two actions represent one of the largest historical attempts to protect Alaskan territory from mining and drilling. In Alaska, where mining is a major economic driver and oil and gas revenues account for a large portion of the state budget, they are expected to face opposition from both the mining industry and elected officials.
“A vibrant subsistence economy for Alaska Native communities is sustained by Alaska’s majestic and rugged lands and waters, which rank among the world’s most remarkable and healthy landscapes,” stated President Biden in a statement.
As a component of a pre-Earth Day environmental offensive, Mr. Biden’s announcements about Alaska aim to strengthen his record on climate change and conservation while also winning back voters who remain enraged over his approval of Willow, an $8 billion oil drilling project in Alaska, last year.
In the last few weeks, the administration has issued a number of regulations to limit the amount of toxic chemicals in the air and drinking water, increased the cost of drilling and mining on public lands while making it easier to conserve those federal lands, and announced strict new emissions limits for cars. Additionally, Mr. Biden has increased the size of a number of national monuments.
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