Media: Alaska files lawsuit to block Biden's Arctic drilling restrictions

The U.S. state of Alaska has filed a lawsuit against the Biden administration, alleging violations of a Congressional directive to allow oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

The lawsuit, filed Monday in the U.S. District Court in Alaska, challenges a December 2024 decision by the U.S. Interior Department to offer drilling leases in the coastal plain, with restrictions on surface use and occupancy, Caliber.Az reports via the Western media outlet Reuters.

Alaska claims these restrictions would make it “impossible or impracticable” to develop 400,000 acres of land slated for auction this month. The state argues that the limits would severely curtail future oil exploration in the refuge, which is seen as a critical resource for U.S. energy production.

Governor Mike Dunleavy criticized the Biden administration, stating that its opposition to Arctic drilling keeps the U.S. dependent on foreign energy. Alaska seeks to overturn the December decision and prevent the lease auction.

This lawsuit is part of a broader legal battle over drilling rights in ANWR, which has been a longstanding point of contention between environmentalists and Alaska's political leaders. Drilling in the area was banned for decades before Congress allowed it in 2017 under a provision in a tax bill backed by former President Trump. The Biden administration has since moved to scale back drilling efforts, canceling leases and imposing stricter limits on oil exploration in the refuge.

By Khagan Isayev