SC Alaska News

The U.S. Senate has voted 52 to 45 to approve a resolution led by Senators Dan Sullivan and Lisa Murkowski, both Republicans from Alaska, that would overturn the Biden administration’s 2022 Integrated Activity Plan (IAP) for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). The plan, implemented during President Biden’s term, replaced a previous policy from the Trump administration and closed nearly half of the NPR-A to oil and gas leasing.

The joint resolution now moves to the House of Representatives, where Congressman Nick Begich (R-Alaska) has introduced a companion measure. If passed by the House and signed by the President, or if Congress overrides a presidential veto, the Biden-era restrictions would be rescinded.

Senator Sullivan stated: “The Biden administration’s 2022 NPR-A Integrated Activity Plan was one of the most blatant examples of federal overreach we’ve seen in Alaska in decades. This plan effectively locked up about half of the National Petroleum Reserve—an area Congress explicitly set aside for energy production, ignored Alaska Native voices, violated clear congressional intent, and undermined our state’s ability to responsibly develop the resources that support our communities and strengthen our nation. As I said in my remarks on the Senate floor, responsible resource development builds infrastructure, supports communities, creates good-paying jobs, and literally leads to my constituents living longer. I wish more of my Senate Democratic colleagues recognized that truth and found the courage to stand up to the far-left Lower 48 eco-colonialists who are determined to lock up Alaska, kill good-paying jobs, and silence the people who live there. But I do want to thank the majority of my colleagues in the Senate who stood with me, Senator Murkowski, and Congressman Begich in passing this resolution—restoring balance, upholding the law, and ensuring Alaska’s resources are managed responsibly for the benefit of our people, our economy, and America’s national security.”

Senator Murkowski added: “In 2022, the Biden administration cut off access to millions of acres in our petroleum reserve and left only 52 percent of it available for potential energy leasing. Even as they relaxed sanctions on the likes of Iran and Venezuela, they ignored the requirements of federal law, the views of North Slope leaders, our history of responsible production, and the need for energy security as they tried to block some of our state’s best opportunities. The passage of this disapproval resolution will help us restore balanced management in the NPR-A, allowing responsible development to occur as we protect sensitive areas and provide for subsistence rights. I credit Senator Sullivan for leading this effort and hope the House will return to session very soon to take up this measure.”

Congressman Begich commented: “The Biden Administration tried to lock up Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve under the guise of environmental protection—policies that did nothing but drive up costs, kill jobs, and keep America dependent on foreign energy. This reckless lock-up of the NPR-A ignored both the law and the people who live closest to these resources. Responsible development in the NPR-A means good jobs and greater energy security for our nation, and the passage of this joint resolution puts us one step closer to restoring Alaska’s right to responsibly develop our abundant resource potential. I thank Senators Sullivan and Murkowski for their leadership in the Senate on this important issue, and I look forward to advancing this resolution in the House to ensure Alaska’s voice is heard loud and clear.”

The Congressional Review Act (CRA) gives Congress a process for overturning certain agency rules through joint resolutions that bypass standard legislative procedures; once enacted or if a veto is overridden by Congress with simple majorities in both chambers—the rule is invalidated.

Earlier this year on March 6th ,the Alaskan congressional delegation requested an opinion from Government Accountability Office (GAO) about whether or not President Biden's 2022 plan qualifies as a rule under CRA guidelines . On July 24th ,the GAO confirmed it does meet criteria defined under Administrative Procedure Act .

NPR-A was established as Naval Petroleum Reserve No .4 back in1923 before being redesignated through federal legislation during1970s &1980s specifically mandating competitive leasing programs aimed at oil & gas exploration within its boundaries .

Recent legislative efforts align with former President Trump ’ s executive orders directing similar management approaches while new mandates included within One Big Beautiful Bill Act require lease sales using terms consistent with prior regulations from2020.

Supporters include various regional organizations such as The Iñupiat Community ,North Slope Borough ,Arctic Slope Regional Corporation ,Alaska Oil & Gas Association among others representing both local stakeholders & national industry groups .