Alaska Seeks to Block Strict New Federal NPR-A Regulations That Threaten Resource Development

July 3, 2024

(Anchorage, AK) - The Alaska Department of Law filed a lawsuit today challenging the recent restrictive regulations imposed for oil and gas leasing in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A).

The new rules were passed without proper input from affected parties, exceeded their congressional authorization and were rushed into place as an end-run on congressional oversight. By challenging the new NPR-A regulations, Alaska joins local industry and Native Alaska stakeholders to reverse the new rules.

"The State of Alaska wants federal agencies to follow the law," says Alaska Attorney General Treg Taylor. "Rulemaking must allow input from various perspectives and be fair. These new rules circumvent the congressional mandate to develop and manage the NPR-A lands for oil and gas uses. This lawsuit seeks to prevent overreach by federal agencies that disregard Alaska's rights."

Alaska sought to engage the rulemaking process, submitted thoughtful comments and requested more time to prepare comments. Instead, the rules were passed in haste to beat a potential change in congressional oversight.

"The inmates are truly running the Biden Administration asylum," said John Boyle, Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources. "This National Petroleum Reserve rule is nothing more than a consolation prize to the radical environmentalist groups upset by the Willow decision. And the people of the State of Alaska are left to hold the bag and bear the terrible consequences."

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Department Media Contacts: Communications Director Patty Sullivan at [email protected] or (907) 269-6368. Information Officer Sam Curtis at [email protected] or (907) 269-6269.