Trump administration moves to fast-track oil drilling approvals in Alaska

The Trump administration announced Friday it was proposing to fast-track approvals for oil drilling projects in Alaska after a request from a trade group to do so.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) issued a proposal that would seek to quickly approve oil and gas drilling in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPRA).

In 1923, then-President Warren Harding set aside the reserve as an emergency oil supply for the Navy. Since that time, drilling projects have bee n approved there , but environmental advocates have also raised concerns about impacts to wildlife .

In its proposal, the BLM said it would consolidate multiple approval procedures into a single review and set timelines that it hopes will “expedite” project approvals.

It said the agency would have to approve some rights-of-way or drilling permit applications within 60 days.

It said its move came in response to a petition from the Alaska Oil and Gas Association, a trade group representing oil and gas companies operating in the state.

That petition called for a “uniform and efficient process to approve production projects similar to those that have already been approved” in the reserve. The trade group’s request also included the 60-day approval timeline.

“Responsible development shouldn’t be held back by redundant paperwork,” BLM Director Steve Pearce said in a statement.

“This is about working smarter, honoring the Trump administration’s commitment to energy security, and ensuring Alaskans directly benefit from the resources in their backyard,” he added.

Environmentalists warned that the move could damage Arctic ecosystems.

“What we’re seeing here is a concerted attack by the Trump administration to greenlight oil and gas drilling in the Western Arctic while ignoring the harm it will cause to these irreplaceable public lands and also the government’s obligation to protect these lands for wildlife and future generations,” said Earthjustice Attorney Erik Grafe.

“These are large-scale, industrial activities that cause permanent damage to sensitive Arctic ecosystems, nearby communities, and the climate,” Grafe continued. “The administration’s proposal flaunts basic environmental laws meant to protect land, wildlife and people and allow for fully informed decision making.”