The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Is Saved, For Now
- The Biophilia Effect
- Jan 27, 2021
- 1 min read
Updated: Feb 8, 2021
By Keetra Bippus
January 20th, 2021, President Biden signed an executive order that temporarily halts gas and oil leasing activities in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The issuances of the drilling permits were announced the day before by former President Donald Trump in his last full day of office.
The wildlife refuge is home to land sacred to the Gwich’in people, who rely on the Porcupine Caribou herd for food, clothing, and other important elements to their culture. The area is also home to endangered animals such as polar bears. Drilling in the area would disrupt the largely untouched wilderness.
The leasing of the permits was mandated in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act in order to generate revenue lost from the tax cuts. The Congressional Budget Office estimated there were billions worth of oil in the refuge. However, critics such as Taxpayers for Common Sense, estimate that the revenue will be much lower. Only 9 of the 11 permits available for sale were bought due to low oil prices and a staggering economy. Proponents of the permits argue that the oil drilling is important for Alaska’s economy and to support the energy needs of the nation.
Biden’s moratorium protects the refuge from oil companies exploiting the land for fossil fuels. His order has the secretary of the interior complete a new environmental review of the impact of the gas and leasing activities. He also pledged to protect the refuge permanently. Biden’s actions come as a win for environmental advocates set on protecting the refuge from the fossil fuel industry.
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Written by Keetra Bippus
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