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Court Blocks Lease Sale, Protects One Million Acres in Alaska

3/18/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A U.S. District Court ruling reinstated a conservation agreement protecting about one million acres in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve, affecting an upcoming lease sale.
Judge Sharon Gleason ruled the Nuiqsut Trilateral right-of-way agreement remains in effect, blocking U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration from leasing protected areas.
The lease sale, originally set to cover 5.5 million acres, will likely be smaller.

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Story summary

A U.S. District Court ruling reinstated a conservation agreement protecting about one million acres in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve, affecting an upcoming lease sale.
Judge Sharon Gleason ruled the Nuiqsut Trilateral right-of-way agreement remains in effect, blocking U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration from leasing protected areas.
The lease sale, originally set to cover 5.5 million acres, will likely be smaller.