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Interior Exempts Winter Drilling in Alaska’s Petroleum Reserve

By Drooid · Oct 9, 2026, 4:08 AM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Interior Department exempted winter oil and gas exploration in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.
The exemption permits seismic surveys, temporary road construction, and drilling of exploration wells.
BLM Alaska director Kevin Pendergast said the move will boost domestic supply and revenue.
Earthjustice attorney Janet Bering warned the exemption cuts public input and skips environmental analysis.
A separate rule lets Interior approve new projects within 60 days, bypassing further review.

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Story summary

The U.S. Interior Department exempted winter oil and gas exploration in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.
The exemption permits seismic surveys, temporary road construction, and drilling of exploration wells.
BLM Alaska director Kevin Pendergast said the move will boost domestic supply and revenue.
Earthjustice attorney Janet Bering warned the exemption cuts public input and skips environmental analysis.
A separate rule lets Interior approve new projects within 60 days, bypassing further review.