Inupiat leaders on Alaska‘s North Slope expressed profound thanks to President Trump following his administration’s move to overturn Biden-era restrictions on oil development. Tribal officials say these reversals restore local self-determination and protect the economic wellbeing of their communities.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, and Energy Secretary Chris Wright traveled to Utqiagvik to announce the repeal of the 2024 National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska rule imposed by the Biden administration. The action notably unlocks access to millions of acres typically reserved for responsible oil and gas activity . In response, Inupiat tribal leaders voiced strong support: “From Day 1, President Trump told the Fish and Wildlife Department to deny that request… our ancestral homelands weren’t going to be stolen” said Charles Lampe, president of Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation.
Lampe emphasized that under the Biden administration, “our people’s self‑determination” was consistently undermined and their voices ignored. The Biden-era rule, dubbed Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve–Alaska, faced widespread opposition from state, tribal, and industry groups across Alaska.
The Trump administration argues this rollback fulfills Congress’s mandate: to use the National Petroleum Reserve to bolster American energy security through responsible development. Interior Secretary Burgum noted that the 2024 restriction “prioritized obstruction over production and undermined our ability to harness domestic resources at a time when American energy independence has never been more critical”.
Alaskan leaders—including the North Slope Borough mayor—praised the move, calling it respectful of tribal sovereignty and local economy . They highlight that oil revenue from these lands funds critical public services and supports subsistence lifestyles in Arctic communities reliant on hunting and fishing.
Critics argue such rollbacks threaten wildlife and ecosystems. Previous Biden protections aimed to balance climate goals with the stewardship of ancestral lands, earning support from some Alaskan Native groups. However, the tribal representatives at Utqiagvik say this development restores not only economic opportunity but respect for their self-determination under federal law.
As the administration proceeds with rulemaking to rescind the ban, tribal leaders say they will continue to advocate for full involvement in decision-making processes. They describe the policy shift as a “new day” for energy development—and for tribal autonomy—in Alaska’s Arctic.
