Alaska has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, claiming violations of a Congressional directive for oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The U.S. District Court suit, submitted on November 26, 2024, contests the Interior Department’s decision to offer drilling leases in the coastal plain area with significant restrictions. The lawsuit argues that limitations on surface use and occupancy render it “impossible or impracticable” to develop approximately 400,000 acres designated for oil and gas drilling. Governor Mike Dunleavy criticized the Biden administration’s stance, asserting it perpetuates U.S. energy dependence instead of leveraging domestic resources. Alaska seeks to overturn the December decision and halt lease issuances at an upcoming auction, arguing that it significantly diminishes anticipated lease-related revenues. This legal action is part of a broader challenge to Biden’s efforts to protect the 19.6-million-acre refuge, which hosts diverse wildlife including polar bears and caribou. Alaska’s administration has previously filed lawsuits contesting lease cancellations made under Biden and seeking to reclaim lost revenue. Historically, the coastal plain’s development has been contentious, with Alaska’s lawmakers previously securing drilling opportunities in a Trump-backed tax cut bill.
