Biden administration protects more Alaska refuge from drilling

The administration of President Joe Biden moved on Thursday to restrict oil and gas drilling in more areas of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This was a last minute move to frustrate President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to increase drilling in this area.

The Interior Department which manages ANWR said that it had identified certain areas of refuge to be protected in order to preserve the fish and wildlife used there by subsistence hunter.

Laura Daniel-Davis, Interior's Acting Deputy Secretary, said: "Fish, wildlife, and the land have been a source of food for Alaska Natives in this area for millennia. Based on our information and legal mandate, it was necessary to begin a process that would ensure their protection."

The move is not clear if it will cordon off any land that is especially attractive to the oil-and-gas industry. This sector has been largely excluded from new Arctic projects because of high costs and other restrictions, and they have avoided auctions at the refuge in this year or in 2021.

Trump has pledged to maximize U.S. production of oil and gas, which is already at record levels, by allowing ANWR to be opened.

Doug Burgum, his nominee for Interior Secretary, told the Senate on Thursday that limiting U.S. production of energy would mean production in countries with less environmental protections. (Reporting and editing by Sonali Paul; Richard Valdmanis)

(source: Reuters)