The Trump administration on Thursday officially reversed one of the most expansive energy restrictions enacted during the Biden presidency, clearing the way for new oil and gas development across a vast stretch of federal land in Alaska. The decision eliminates a 2024 rule that had prohibited leasing on 10.6 million acres inside the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska (NPRA) while placing stricter limitations on an additional 2 million acres.
The move marks one of President Donald Trump’s most significant policy actions since returning to office — and signals a broader shift toward large-scale domestic energy expansion aimed at lowering costs for American consumers.
What the Biden Rule Did — and Why Trump Reversed It
The now-rescinded Biden regulation barred drilling across more than 45% of the NPRA, a 23-million-acre stretch originally set aside in 1923 to serve as a strategic fuel supply for the U.S. Navy. Over the past century, the region has become one of the largest untapped resource zones on federally owned land, fueling decades of debate over whether it should be preserved or developed.
By nullifying the 2024 rule, the Trump administration is reopening approximately 13 million acres to potential oil and gas activity — a move officials say is essential to boosting U.S. energy independence.
“By rescinding the 2024 rule, we are following the direction set by President Trump to unlock Alaska’s energy potential, create jobs for North Slope communities and strengthen American energy security,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. “This action restores common-sense management and ensures responsible development benefits for both Alaska and the nation.”
The administration announced the reversal in a Thursday press release and said the final rule would be formally published Friday in the Federal Register.
Supporters Call It a Lifeline for Jobs and Energy Stability
Energy advocates in Alaska welcomed the rollback, arguing that responsible development has long coexisted with environmental protections in the region.
One of the strongest endorsements came from Voice of the Arctic Inupiat, an Alaska Native organization representing communities across the North Slope. The group has for years insisted that drilling revenues provide essential funding for healthcare, education, public safety, and basic infrastructure.
For remote Arctic communities, oil and gas activity is not just an economic engine — it is foundational to the tax structure that keeps local government services running.
Industry groups also praised the decision, saying the re-opening of acreage could spur new investment, help offset declining production in older North Slope fields, and provide the federal government with substantial royalty revenues.
Supporters also note the geopolitical implications: increasing U.S. production reduces reliance on foreign suppliers at a time when global energy markets remain volatile.
Environmental Concerns and the Political Divide
Environmental activists and Democratic lawmakers, however, say the rescission reverses protections meant to safeguard ecologically sensitive areas and mitigate climate impacts. Biden’s 2024 rule had been framed as a centerpiece of the administration’s environmental strategy, particularly among Democrats who argue that certain parts of the NPRA are too environmentally delicate to withstand industrial expansion.
Opponents of drilling point to migration routes, habitat concerns, and long-term conservation priorities as reasons to maintain stricter limits.
But supporters counter that decades of regulated drilling — including in nearby Prudhoe Bay, Alpine, and other major fields — have demonstrated that development can occur safely while supporting environmental stewardship.
The Trump administration echoed that argument, saying the Biden-era restrictions were overly broad, economically damaging, and not grounded in balanced resource management.
The NPRA: A Resource Giant with National Impact
The National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska remains one of the most important undeveloped oil regions in the United States. Covering 23 million acres, the reserve contains extensive petroleum and natural gas resources that have been the subject of countless geological surveys and exploratory programs.
Though overshadowed by the more famous Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), the NPRA has long been viewed as the lower-risk, higher-yield development alternative — a place where infrastructure exists, drilling has historical precedent, and communities have come to depend on industry revenue.
Unblocking 13 million acres could yield:
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Tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs
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Billions in future lease sales and tax revenues
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Significant additions to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System
And long-term, possibly higher national output that could ease costs for American families.
Why the Pipeline Matters — and Why Alaska Production Has Declined
The Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) remains one of the most important energy arteries in the Western Hemisphere. Built in the 1970s after the discovery of immense oil reserves at Prudhoe Bay, the 800-mile pipeline transports crude from the North Slope to Valdez, where it moves to refineries across the West Coast.
At its peak in the late 1980s, TAPS moved more than 2 million barrels per day. Today, throughput is a fraction of that, largely due to declining production in aging fields.
Energy experts have long warned that low volumes pose a risk to the pipeline’s long-term viability because TAPS must maintain certain flow thresholds to operate safely.
New development in the NPRA could help stabilize pipeline volumes — one of the reasons Alaska leaders have insisted the Biden rule was harmful to both state and national interests.
The Larger Contrast: Trump’s Fossil Fuel Expansion vs. Biden’s Green Mandates
The decision to rescind the Biden rule fits into a much broader energy policy divide.
During his term, President Biden:
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halted several major oil and gas infrastructure projects
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introduced more than 100 new regulatory restrictions
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stopped or paused lease sales on federal land and waters
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moved to retire dozens of coal and fuel-fired power plants
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attempted to shift the U.S. rapidly toward “green” alternatives
Critics say those policies left the country with insufficient energy output, higher prices, and grid vulnerabilities just as emerging technologies — including AI — increased nationwide power demand.
President Trump has taken the opposite approach. Since returning to office, he has undone many of Biden’s signature energy rules and has focused on expanding access to domestic fossil fuels, arguing that affordable energy is inseparable from national security and economic stability.
The Alaska decision is among the largest of those reversals.
What Happens Next
Now that the rule has been formally rescinded, several steps follow:
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Federal Register Publication
The legal text will be published, making the rescission official and enabling preliminary exploration steps. -
Lease Sale Planning
The Interior Department could begin scheduling lease sales, potentially as early as 2025. -
Environmental and Permitting Reviews
Companies will still need to navigate environmental impact assessments and obtain drilling permits — a process that can take months or years. -
State and Local Engagement
Alaska’s government and Native corporations will play a key role in shaping development plans and community benefit agreements. -
Legal Challenges Likely
Democratic states and environmental groups may sue to block development. The administration has indicated it is prepared for litigation.
Conclusion
The Trump administration’s reversal of Biden’s NPRA restrictions is one of the most consequential energy policy moves in years. By reopening more than 13 million acres for potential oil and gas development, the White House has shifted the national conversation back toward domestic production, energy security, and economic growth.
Supporters say the decision will create jobs, strengthen local communities, stabilize long-declining pipeline volumes, and help lower costs for American families. Critics argue it undercuts conservation efforts and weakens environmental safeguards.
What is clear is that the move marks a dramatic realignment of federal energy priorities — one that will shape Alaska, the national energy landscape, and the broader political debate for years to come.
Sarah Mitchell is a bestselling novelist recognized for her insightful and emotionally resonant stories that explore the complexities of human relationships. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Sarah grew up in a family of teachers who nurtured her curiosity and love for storytelling. She studied psychology at Stanford University, where she became fascinated by the intricacies of human behavior—an interest that would later shape her writing career. Sarah’s novels are praised for their nuanced characters, intricate plots, and ability to capture the subtle tensions that define love, friendship, and family ties. Her breakthrough novel, The Spaces Between Us, became an instant bestseller, lauded for its honest portrayal of strained family relationships and the fragile bonds that hold people together. Since then, she has published several works that continue to captivate audiences around the world. Outside of her writing career, Sarah is passionate about mental health advocacy and often partners with organizations to promote awareness and support for those struggling with emotional well-being. Her personal life is quieter—she enjoys hiking in the Colorado mountains, practicing yoga, and spending time with close friends. With each new book, Sarah Mitchell cements her reputation as a writer who illuminates the beauty and struggles of human connection.
