Alaskan Energy Act: Mandating Oil Drilling and Overriding Environmental Pauses
This law mandates the immediate reinstatement of canceled oil and gas leases and approves all necessary permits for drilling in the sensitive Coastal Plain of Alaska. It accelerates energy development, potentially boosting domestic fuel supply, but raises significant concerns about the impact on the Arctic environment and wildlife. The act explicitly nullifies previous executive orders and rules that sought to pause or restrict this development.
Key points
Oil Lease Reinstatement: The government must immediately issue previously canceled oil leases in the Coastal Plain and hold a second lease sale by the end of 2024.
Environmental Review Shield: The law ratifies existing environmental approvals, limiting the ability to challenge the project based on major environmental protection acts.
Executive Authority Overridden: Any current or future attempts by the President or Interior Secretary to halt or suspend oil leasing in this area are declared void.
Expired
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