President Donald Trump’s administration on Thursday completed the reversal of restrictions put in place under President Joe Biden’s administration on oil and gas exploration in Alaska, the nation’s largest area of pristine public land.
The move is in line with President Trump’s goal of easing restrictions on oil and gas exploration in the resource-rich state of Alaska.
Biden’s 2024 rule banned oil and gas concessions on 4.3 million hectares of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska and restricted exploration on more than 2 million hectares.
“Rescinding the 2024 rule follows President Trump’s guiding principles to unlock Alaska’s energy potential, build for North Slope communities, and strengthen America’s energy security,” Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement.