Alaska's Governor Mike Dunleavy and other high-ranking state officials have voiced strong disapproval of the Biden administration's approach to the final congressionally mandated lease sale for oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). They argue that the Department of Interior's planned January sale has been conducted in bad faith and undermines Alaska's economic opportunities.
Governor Dunleavy questioned the administration's logic in restricting Alaskan drilling while sourcing energy from foreign rivals and promoting alternative fuels. He expressed uncertainty about the administration's objectives and predicted future confusion over these decisions. Dunleavy highlighted the inconsistency of discouraging oil exploration in Alaska while global demand for oil persists.
While open to alternative energy sources like harnessing tidal power in Cook Inlet, Dunleavy pointed out the potential for a future administration to reverse the current administration's cancellation of ANWR leases.
Leaders of the Inupiat village of Kaktovik, the sole community within ANWR, also criticized the lease sale structure. They argued that outside environmental groups had undue influence, while local voices were marginalized. They expressed frustration with the process and disagreed with the notion that local communities oppose development. Kaktovik's leadership characterized the outcome as predetermined and lamented the lack of adequate opportunity for their small tribal entity to participate in the environmental impact assessment.
The Alaska Industrial Development & Export Authority (AIDEA) echoed these concerns, stating that the administration's decision effectively blocks almost all development in ANWR. AIDEA emphasized the potential for high-paying jobs that could help retain Alaskan families within the state.
Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) labeled the sale an "eleventh-hour" decision designed to circumvent the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act, which mandated the sale. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) criticized the administration for seemingly prioritizing resource production by adversaries while stifling Alaskan development.
Fox News Digital contacted the Department of the Interior and the White House for comment but did not receive a response.
