Alaska's politicians hope Trump can lift oil drilling curbs

JUNEAU, Alaska: With former President Donald Trump signaling a return to energy policies favoring oil development, Alaska's political leaders see a potential revival for the state's vital petroleum industry.

Trump has pledged to prioritize resource development, raising hopes among Alaska officials that federal restrictions on drilling in oil-rich regions like the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska will be removed.

Oil is the backbone of Alaska's economy, and leaders such as Governor Mike Dunleavy believe Trump's policies could undo limits imposed under the Biden administration, including the ban on new oil and gas leasing across millions of acres of the petroleum reserve. Dunleavy has framed this as a chance to restore economic opportunities in the state, where oil revenue sustains communities and public services.

The Arctic Refuge: A decades-old battle

At the center of the debate is the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a vast expanse of tundra, mountains, and wildlife in northeast Alaska. Drilling advocates highlight its potential for billions of barrels of oil, but the region's ecological importance has made it a battleground for decades.

In 2017, Alaska's congressional delegation pushed through legislation mandating two oil lease sales in the refuge. The first sale, in the final days of Trump's previous administration, saw limited participation. President Joe Biden later canceled several leases and proposed offering only the minimum acreage for the second sale, a move criticized by Alaska's Republican senators.

Native communities divided

Alaska Native communities remain divided on the issue. Leaders from the Iupiaq community of Kaktovik, located within the refuge, support drilling because of its potential economic benefits. Conversely, Gwich'in communities near the refuge oppose development, considering the coastal plain sacred and critical for caribou calving.

"We just want our way of life, not only for us but for future generations," said Galen Gilbert of the Arctic Village Council, reflecting concerns over the cultural and ecological impacts of drilling.

Iupiaq leaders, however, argue that responsible development can coexist with traditional subsistence lifestyles. "The federal government must understand that any attempt to undermine our sovereignty will be met with fierce resistance," wrote Josiah Patkotak, North Slope Borough mayor, emphasizing the region's reliance on oil revenue.

A new energy strategy?

Trump's recent comments, including support for a long-delayed natural gas pipeline, have fueled optimism among Alaska officials. U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, a frequent Trump critic, acknowledged that his resource development policies could benefit Alaska's economy.

Environmental groups, however, warn against doubling down on fossil fuels. "Oil is not the future," said Erik Grafe of Earthjustice in Alaska, urging the state to develop a "Plan B" for a post-oil economy.

As Alaska prepares for a possible shift in federal energy policy, the decades-long debate over drilling in its untouched wilderness continues to underscore the tensions between economic growth, environmental preservation, and Indigenous rights.