House Passes Resolutions to Unleash American Energy Resources in Alaska and Wyoming

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed three Congressional Review Act resolutions that reopen millions of acres of resource-rich land in Alaska and Wyoming locked up by the Biden administration. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) issued the following statement in response:

"This week's votes in the House reestablished access to vital tracts of land intended for energy leasing, which support U.S. energy production and drive economic growth in America's rural communities. Alaska and Wyoming's resource-rich lands are indispensable to unleashing American energy and mineral dominance. Representatives Begich and Hageman's resolutions will create jobs and promote access to affordable energy for years to come."

Background

S.J. Res. 80, introduced by U.S. Sen. Sullivan (R-Alaska) and U.S. Rep. Begich (R-Alaska), repeals the Biden-era Integrated Activity Plan (IAP) for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A). The Biden administration IAP locked up nearly 12 million acres of energy resources in the NPR-A. This resolution advances President Trump's EO 14153, "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential," and EO 14154, "Unleashing American Energy."

H.J. Res. 130, introduced by U.S. Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.) repeals the Biden-era "Buffalo Field Office Resource Management Plan Amendment" (RMPA), which locked up 800,00 acres of land and 4.7 million acres of mineral estate in Wyoming. Wyoming produces 40 percent of the nation's coal. This resolution advances President Trump's EO 14261, "Reinvigorating America's Beautiful Clean Coal Industry," and EO 14154, "Unleashing American Energy."

H.J. Res. 131, introduced by U.S. Rep. Nick Begich (R-Alaska) repeals a Biden-era Record of Decision (ROD) restricting oil and gas development in the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The resolution will allow for responsible energy production on 1.16 million acres and rolls back onerous regulations that currently depress access to natural resources on the remaining land. Oil and gas production provides 95% of North Slope tax revenues and annual funds for the Alaska Permanent Fund dividends. This resolution advances President Trump's EO 14153, "Unleashing Alaska's Extraordinary Resource Potential," and EO 14154, "Unleashing American Energy."