Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) strongly criticized the Biden administration’s decision to restrict drilling on millions of acres of government-owned lands in Alaska, labeling it as “lawless” and detrimental to national security.
Sullivan argued that President Biden lacks the authority to implement such restrictions and emphasized the importance of Alaska’s resources, including energy and critical minerals, to the nation as a whole.
The Biden administration’s announcement to block oil and gas drilling on 13 million acres in the Western Arctic, part of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, and to deny approval for the Ambler Access Project, which would have facilitated mining efforts, has sparked controversy.
While environmental and tribal advocates have praised the decisions, Sullivan asserted that many Alaska Native leaders opposed them, contradicting the administration’s claim that it acted at their request.
Sullivan highlighted the concerns of his constituents, particularly in Alaska’s North Slope, where the restrictions will have outstanding economic implications. He criticized the administration for not engaging with indigenous leaders who opposed the decisions and expressed disappointment in the lack of consultation.
The Biden administration’s actions in Alaska have drawn attention to its mixed record on energy and conservation issues in the state. Despite approving projects like the Willow Project, allowing ConocoPhillips to drill for decades, the administration’s recent restrictions have stirred controversy and sparked debate over the balance between environmental protection and economic development.
