The White House Has Suspended Oil Drilling Leases In The Arctic

The White House has suspended oil drilling leases in the Arctic.

On June 1, 2021, the Biden administration reversed a program approved by Trump’s White House that would have allowed oil and gas companies to drill in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

On his first day in office, Biden issued a temporary moratorium on leasing activity and a review of the Trump Administration’s policy. The Interior Department ‘identified defects in the underlying record of decision supporting the leases, including the lack of analysis of a reasonable range of alternatives.’

The 19.6 million-acre refuge is home to a wide variety of species and is a roost for migrating birds from six continents.

Opponents to the drilling are now seeking permanent protection. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) said in a statement, ‘Now it is up to Congress to permanently protect this irreplaceable, million-year-old ecosystem and facilitate new economic opportunities based on preserving America’s pristine public lands for outdoor recreation.’