Trump signs executive order reversing Biden-era restrictions on oil and gas exploration in Alaska

Iris Samuels and Sean Maguire, Anchorage Daily News on Jan 20, 2025

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska — An executive order signed by President Donald Trump in the first hours of his second term reversed Biden administration orders that restricted oil and gas development in Alaska.

Trump signed several executive orders during an inauguration day event at the Capitol One Arena. One of Trump’s orders rescinded dozens of executive actions taken by the Biden administration.

“We will drill, baby, drill,” Trump said in his second inaugural address, signaling that he would declare a “national energy emergency” on Monday.

Among the rescinded actions was a 2023 plan issued by former President Joe Biden limiting drilling in nearly 3 million acres of the Arctic Ocean in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. Biden announced that plan in conjunction with approving the Willow oil development project.

Trump also rescinded a Biden action from earlier this month that withdrew vast swaths of the coastal U.S. from future oil and gas drilling, including in and near Alaska’s Bering Sea.

Biden cited environmental and economic risks when taking the previous executive actions, which drew ire from Alaska’s Republican politician leaders, while receiving some support from Alaska Native leaders and conservation groups.

The actions were the first of a slew expected from Trump, who has said he plans to expand oil and gas development opportunities in the U.S., including in Alaska.

Trump also said Monday that he planned to take executive action to change the name of Denali to Mount McKinley, though that order was not immediately signed Monday evening.

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