Staff Reports
In a last-minute scramble to leave a climate legacy, the Biden administration is pulling a classic “Hail Mary” with an oil lease sale in Alaska that greatly resembles a half-deflated balloon. As exit strategies go, this one is about as popular as a cold soup served at a summer picnic. With only 400,000 acres up for grabs, it seems like Biden is trying to score a political point that few are interested in—even Alaskan Natives have pushed back against the administration’s efforts, calling the situation a blatant political game.
Doreen Leavitt, from the Iñupiat Community of the Arctic Slope, has rightly observed this move for what it really is: a fading administration flailing about in a desperate attempt to make an impression. The Biden administration has consistently undermined oil, gas, and mineral exploration on public lands, with past actions including slashing nearly 13 million acres from potential drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. The administration’s legacy of handwringing over fossil fuels has reached new heights—or perhaps lows—just as the door starts to swing shut.
It’s especially ironic that while the administration claims to champion the interests of indigenous communities by sprinkling approval on select projects, it has simultaneously restricted their access to significant economic opportunities derived from oil and gas. For example, the approval of the Willow Project, which could produce up to 180,000 barrels of oil per day, hardly compensates for the restrictions that rob local communities of their rightful share of resources. It’s like giving someone a cookie while keeping the whole jar to yourself—hardly a fair trade.
As the dust settles on this administration, the frustration among local Alaskan communities is palpable. Studies and complaints show that many feel sidelined in the decision-making process, which only exacerbates feelings of betrayal. The Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat (VOICE) even filed a lawsuit against the administration, charging that their decisions concerning oil leases were made without proper consultation of the very people living there. The Iñupiat leaders claim they are left out of the conversation entirely, reinforcing the notion that this administration operates more like a game of charades than a legitimate policymaking body.
In a ‘desperate’ act to secure climate legacy, Biden admin offers restricted Alaska oil lease sale https://t.co/HZEDBNPzd7
— John Solomon (@jsolomonReports) December 12, 2024
Meanwhile, Senator Dan Sullivan is keeping a close eye on the situation, eager to roll up his sleeves as the Trump administration prepares to come back into power. The promise of a more favorable environment for oil and gas development looms large. Trump’s prospective Interior Secretary, Doug Burgum, is expected to be far more accommodating to resource development than his predecessor. Predictions are that the new administration may at last prioritize the voices of Alaskan Natives who have been keen on tapping into local resources.
Environmental groups, of course, have celebrated the Biden administration’s decision to limit leases in Alaska, claiming it’s a win for the Earth. However, this conveniently ignores the undeniable benefits fossil fuels provide to daily American life. As the truth often goes, it’s hard to reconcile the arguments against oil when it underlies a staggering 84% of the nation’s energy needs and fuels thousands of products. As the outgoing administration prepares to vacate, those looking forward to a fresh start hope the next wave of leadership will place Alaskan voices and economic growth above vague climate pledges.
