Alaska’s congressional delegation has slammed the Biden administration for wasting taxpayer dollars on what they called a “deliberately doomed” lease sale in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, along with Congressman Nick Begich III, accused the administration of orchestrating the sale to fail by imposing crippling restrictions, leaving Alaskans with no bids, no economic benefits, and a costly bureaucratic fiasco.
They argue that the administration’s energy policies prioritize foreign oil while sabotaging domestic opportunities, squandering resources and taxpayer money in the process.
READ: Florida, Texas, And Louisiana Senators Eye $100 Million Reward Bill For Arrest Of Nicolás Maduro
A ‘Designed to Fail’ Lease Sale
The Department of the Interior (DOI) announced the lease sale in December after revising the Coastal Plain oil and gas program, which the Alaska delegation contends made development in the region economically unfeasible. The revisions severely restricted available lands and imposed what lawmakers called “sweeping restrictions” on the few remaining tracts.
“I derive no satisfaction in saying I told you so, but the ‘lack of interest’ in this lease sale was an intended consequence of this administration’s efforts to make any development in the Coastal Plain economically unfeasible,” said Senator Murkowski. “This mess is the culmination of a failed energy policy that prioritizes resources from countries like Iran, Venezuela, and Mozambique over states like Alaska.”
Murkowski noted that the Biden administration had systematically dismantled a reasonable program established under the Trump administration, ignoring the voices of Alaska Native communities living in the Coastal Plain.
READ: Florida Gov. DeSantis Accuses Media Of Creating “Division” And “Narratives” In Coverage Bias
The Coastal Plain of ANWR, also known as the 1002 Area, is estimated to contain a mean of 7.7 billion barrels of oil, a resource that could help replenish the three-quarters-empty Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. Congress authorized the development of up to 2,000 surface acres — just 0.01% of ANWR — as part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which mandated at least two lease sales in the area by December 2024.
“This is no surprise,” said Senator Sullivan. “From Day 1, Joe Biden and [Interior Secretary] Deb Haaland have sought to illegally shut down any chance of developing ANWR. Closing off nearly 75% of the 1002 Area is clearly an attempt to stymie interest from industry. Companies saw this administration brazenly cancel leases from the first sale, and now they’ve been scared off.”
Congressman Begich echoed these concerns, accusing the federal government of acting in bad faith. “Making a lease sale so uneconomic in its construction that no party is willing to place a bid is not evidence of a lack of interest,” he said. “It’s evidence of a keen understanding that these lands under the current regime have not been offered in good faith.”
READ: Biden Admin Extends Temporary ‘Protected Status’ For 800,000 Venezuelans, Salvadorans
The lawmakers also criticized the Biden administration for relaxing sanctions and export restrictions on nations like Iran and Venezuela, which have boosted their oil production while domestic projects remain stalled. They argue these actions undermine U.S. energy independence and security.
“In stark contrast, the Biden administration has made it easier for corrupt regimes to profit while punishing American energy producers,” Sullivan said. “This administration’s priorities are out of step with the needs of Alaskans and the nation.”
With President-elect Donald Trump set to take office on January 20, the Alaska delegation expressed optimism for the future of resource development in the state.
“Thankfully, moving forward, we have plenty of options to ensure that our state can produce more of its resources,” said Murkowski. “Better days are ahead.”
Sullivan added, “The good news is we will soon be working with the Trump administration, which has a proven track record of responsible Alaska resource development and respecting the voices of the Iñupiat people of the North Slope who strongly support the ANWR leasing program.”
The delegation pledged to work with the incoming administration to address the barriers imposed by the Biden administration and ensure Alaska’s energy potential is realized. “Alaskan lands should be in Alaskans’ hands,” Begich said, calling for greater self-determination over the state’s resources.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.