Trump admin rescinds Biden era drilling ban on the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Thursday announced his department is rescinding a ban on drilling at the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, which was made last year during the Biden administration. 

The previous presidential administration last April banned oil and gas drilling on 13 million acres of the reserve and limited future oil and gas leasing on the public lands. 

The Alaskan reserve was established in 1923 and has operated as a petroleum reserve to support the nation’s energy security, the Department of the Interior said.

"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," Burgum said. "This action restores common-sense management and ensures responsible development benefits both Alaska and the nation." 

The department also noted that reversing the rule "reduces regulatory burdens and positions the reserve to deliver full economic benefits for the nation and communities on the North Slope."

The order, which will be posted on the Federal Register on Nov. 17, is the latest action the Trump administration has taken to curb the energy impacts of the Biden administration. 

President Donald Trump most recently reopened the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s (ANWR) 1.56 million acres for oil and gas development last month, which was banned under the Biden administration. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.