The decision sets the stage for a fierce legal battle over the fate of a vast, remote area that is home to polar bears, caribou and the promise of oil wealth
The Trump administration on Monday finalized its plan to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development, setting the stage for what is expected to be a fierce legal battle over the fate of a vast, remote Alaska habitat. The Interior Department said it had completed its required reviews, clearing the way for the government to auction off leases later this year to companies interested in drilling inside the refuge’s coastal plain, which is believed to sit atop enough oil to fill billions of barrels but is prized by environmentalists for its pristine landscapes and wildlife. Companies that bought leases could begin the process of exploring for oil and gas, although actual production would still require additional permitting and is unlikely to occur for at least a decade, if at all. Drilling opponents are expected to file lawsuits to try to delay or block the leasing plan.
