The Biden Administration plans to announce the cancellation of oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, according to multiple reports, a move that comes more than two years after the administration suspended the leases.
A polar bear walks through an icy area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. (Photo by Sylvain ... [+]
The reversal of the drilling program, which was approved by the Trump Administration in 2017 but never officially started, will rescind leases held by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority, according to the New York Times.
Seven leases in the refuge were issued to the Export Authority one day before President Joe Biden’s inauguration, which removed decades worth of protections for the 19 million-acre swath of land.
The United States Department of the Interior, which Reuters reported would announce the news Wednesday, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority told the Times in August the cancellation of leases would hurt the state’s revenue and job market. Randy Ruaro, the industrial development and export authority executive director, said the need for jobs was “especially true for rural areas such as Northern Alaska,” according to the Times.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.