- The Biden administration has halted oil and gas drilling on millions of acres in Alaska, including the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), leading to significant economic strain in a state heavily reliant on resource development.
- Many Indigenous leaders, including Nagruk Harcharek and Doreen Leavitt, criticize the administration for ignoring their input and failing to recognize the economic benefits of responsible resource development, which funds critical infrastructure like schools and health clinics.
- While the Biden administration emphasizes environmental conservation and Indigenous stewardship, its policies have been perceived as dismissive of tribal sovereignty and the economic needs of Alaskan communities.
- Alaskans, including Governor Mike Dunleavy and Charles Lampe, express optimism that the incoming Trump administration will reverse drilling restrictions, reinstate mining support, and prioritize economic growth alongside environmental stewardship.
- Responsible resource development in Alaska is seen as key to boosting jobs, revenue, and energy security, with the ANWR coastal plain alone estimated to contain billions of barrels of recoverable oil.
The Biden administration’s aggressive crackdown on oil and gas drilling in Alaska has left many Alaskans, including Native tribal leaders, frustrated and economically stifled. While the administration has touted its commitment to environmental conservation and Indigenous stewardship, its policies have ignored the voices of those who stand to benefit most from responsible resource development. As the Trump administration prepares to take office, Alaskans are hopeful for a return to policies that balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.
Over the past four years, the Biden administration has shut down drilling activity on tens of millions of acres in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). It retroactively canceled lease sales and blocked major mining projects, often citing the need to protect the environment and honor Indigenous Knowledge. However, these actions have been met with disappointment by many Native leaders who see resource development as essential to their communities’ economic survival.
Nagruk Harcharek, president of Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat, an organization representing North Slope communities, expressed frustration with the Biden administration’s lack of meaningful engagement. Despite claims of being the most tribally-friendly administration in history, Harcharek noted that his organization’s attempts to communicate the economic benefits of resource development were largely ignored. “We don’t need to be protected from our own environment,” Harcharek said. “We can make decisions that are good for the region, the environment, the state and the nation.”
Doreen Leavitt, secretary for the Inupiat Community of the Arctic Slope (ICAS), echoed these sentiments, criticizing Interior Secretary Deb Haaland for her lack of respect for tribal sovereignty. Leavitt emphasized that resource development has funded critical infrastructure in her community, including running water, schools and health clinics. She expressed hope that incoming Interior Secretary Doug Burgum would prioritize meaningful consultation and respect for tribal self-determination.
The war on oil has hit the economy hard
Alaska’s economy, heavily reliant on oil and gas, has suffered under the Biden administration’s restrictions. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has urged President-elect Trump to immediately reverse these policies, arguing that they have “destroyed economic opportunity” in the state. Dunleavy’s transition plan calls for lifting restrictions on oil development in the NPR-A and ANWR, reinstating federal support for mining projects, and reversing bans on new roads in the Tongass National Forest.
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, in particular, has been a focal point of the drilling debate. While environmentalists argue that the refuge should remain untouched, many Alaskans see its potential as a source of jobs, revenue and energy security. The coastal plain alone is estimated to contain billions of barrels of recoverable oil, which could significantly boost U.S. production.
Charles Lampe, president of the Kaktovik Iñupiat Corporation, expressed optimism about Trump’s return to power, recalling the positive relationship his community had with the first Trump administration. “We just felt like we were actually listened to during that time,” Lampe said.
The Biden administration’s approach to Alaska has been marked by a disconnect between its rhetoric and its actions. While it has invoked Indigenous Knowledge to justify its policies, it has failed to engage meaningfully with the very communities it claims to protect. This has left many Alaskans feeling ignored and undervalued.
As the Trump administration prepares to take office, Alaskans are hopeful for a new era of economic opportunity. Responsible resource development has the potential to revitalize the state’s economy, fund critical infrastructure and strengthen tribal sovereignty. By striking a balance between economic growth and environmental stewardship, the incoming administration can ensure that Alaska’s natural resources benefit both its residents and the nation as a whole.
The Biden administration’s policies may have been well-intentioned, but they have ultimately done more harm than good. It’s time for a new approach – one that listens to the voices of Alaskans and recognizes the vital role that resource development plays in their lives. With the right leadership, Alaska can once again become a beacon of economic prosperity and energy independence.
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