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Trump Administration Approves Categorical Exclusion for Alaska Seismic Testing

8/28/2026

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Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration plans a categorical exclusion for winter seismic testing in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve.
Interior Department officials say the exclusion would speed permitting by bypassing public comment and impact reviews.
ConocoPhillips supports the faster process, noting protections remain after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved its 300-square-mile winter survey.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration plans a categorical exclusion for winter seismic testing in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve.
Interior Department officials say the exclusion would speed permitting by bypassing public comment and impact reviews.
ConocoPhillips supports the faster process, noting protections remain after the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) approved its 300-square-mile winter survey.