SC Alaska News

The U.S. Senate voted 52 to 45 to approve a joint resolution, led by Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan of Alaska, that seeks to overturn the Biden administration’s 2022 Integrated Activity Plan (IAP) for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). The Congressional Review Act (CRA) was used as the legislative mechanism for this action.

The Biden-era plan replaced a previous policy from 2020 established during the Trump administration. It closed nearly half of NPR-A lands to oil and gas leasing, which supporters of the new resolution argue goes against federal law and disregards local leadership input. Alaska Native leaders in the region have expressed support for responsible development as a means to fund essential services such as schools and emergency response.

A similar resolution has been introduced in the House by Congressman Nick Begich of Alaska. If passed there, it will proceed to President Biden’s desk for approval or veto.

Senator Murkowski stated: “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.”

Senator Sullivan commented: “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.”

Congressman Begich added: “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 NPR-A ignored both law and people who live closest to these resources. Responsible development in NPR-A means good jobs and greater energy security for our nation; passage puts us one step closer toward restoring Alaska's right.” He also thanked Senators Sullivan and Murkowski.

Under CRA procedures—a tool Congress can use with an expedited process—a rule may be overturned if both chambers pass a joint resolution by simple majority vote; if signed by President or Congress overrides any vetoes then affected rules become invalidated.

Earlier this year on March 6th,the Alaskan delegation asked whether GAO would classify Biden's plan as a "rule" under CRA definitions; GAO agreed July 24th it met criteria set out by Administrative Procedure Act so could be subject review through CRA.

NPR-A is located on Alaska's North Slope,and was first established almost a century ago as an emergency oil reserve before being re-designated under different laws since then.Congress has directed competitive lease sales within its boundaries since at least1980.

Legislation now aims not only at rescinding restrictions imposed by Biden's decision but aligns with goals from prior Trump executive orders promoting expanded resource extraction.Furthermore,a bill signed into law July4th mandates lease sales consistent with those from Trump's first term.The newly-passed S.J.Res80 seeks long-term durability against future efforts at limiting resource access through similar administrative actions.Supporters include regional native organizations,state industry groups,national trade associations,and former Trump officials.