Energy & Environment — Biden administration blocks drilling in broad swathe of Arctic

Presented by AFPM — It will block off oil and gas drilling on 13m acres in the Western Arctic

View Online Energy & Environment Energy & Environment   PRESENTED BY  The Big Story  Biden administration bars drilling on millions of Alaskan acres The Biden administration is restricting drilling on millions of acres of government-owned lands in Alaska — and taking the penultimate step toward blocking a mining access road in the same state. © AP The administration announced Friday it would block off oil and gas drilling on 13 million acres in the Western Arctic that are part of an area known as the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.   The 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve, found in Alaska's North Slope, was set aside in 1923 by President Harding as an emergency supply of oil for the Navy.   The area is also home to caribou herds, threatened and sensitive bird species, and other animals, including polar bears.   The administration also issued a document indicating that it would not approve a proposed industrial road through northwestern Alaskan wilderness toward deposits of copper and zinc — disrupting Ambler Metals's effort to mine there.   The administration cited its finding that the road would significantly restrict activities for more than 30 Alaska Native communities. The Hill previously reported that the Biden administration had reached this decision Tuesday.    Read more at TheHill.com. Welcome to The Hill's Energy & Environment newsletter, we're Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains. Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here. Essential Reads  How policy will affect the energy and environment sectors now and in the future: EPA declares 2 forever chemicals are 'hazardous,' putting polluters on the hook for cleanup The Biden administration designated two pervasive pollutants as "hazardous substances" Friday — making it easier to put companies that dumped them on the hook for cleanup costs. The move by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designates two types of PFAS as hazardous under the nation's legacy pollution law.   Full Story It's 'irresponsible' to ignore widespread consciousness across animal world, dozens of scientists argue There is good reason to believe fish, amphibians, molluscs and insects are sentient, according to a new declaration signed by three dozen scientists.  Full Story Kennedy's ex-environmental colleagues sign letter urging him to drop White House bid Dozens of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s former colleagues at an environmental defense giant are calling on the Independent presidential candidate to drop out of the race. Several current and former Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) staffers, including co-founder John Adams and President and CEO Manish Bapna, threw their support behind President Biden in the letter, which ...  Full Story A MESSAGE FROM AFPM Liquid fuels drive a sustainable future. America's refiners are making renewable fuels that can deliver upwards of 80 percent lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. Cutting emissions without requiring expensive infrastructure updates. In Other News  Branch out with a different read from The Hill: EPA issues waiver allowing higher-ethanol gas to be sold this summer The Biden administration has issued a waiver allowing fuel with higher ethanol content to be sold during the summer months when gasoline prices typically rise. Full Story What We're Reading  News we've flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics: Insurance companies abandoning victims of Washington state wildfires (The Spokane Spokesman-Review)   Lethal heat in West Africa is driven by human-caused climate change (NPR) Major offshore wind projects in New York canceled in latest blow to industry (Politico) On Tap  Upcoming news themes and events we're watching: Monday Earth Day  The House Natural Resources' Subcommittee on Federal Lands will hold a field hearing at noon EDT in Hurricane, Utah, titled "Empowering Local Voices and Stopping Federal Overreach to Improve the Management of Utah's Public Lands" Tuesday The House Oversight Committee's Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs will hold a field hearing at 10 a.m. CT in Plano, Texas, titled "Drilling Down: Oversight of the Challenges and Opportunities Facing U.S. Energy Production" A MESSAGE FROM AFPM Liquid fuels drive a sustainable future. America's refiners are making renewable fuels that can deliver upwards of 80 percent lower lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions. Cutting emissions without requiring expensive infrastructure updates. What Others are Reading  Two key stories on The Hill right now: NY AG asks Trump civil fraud judge to declare $175M bond 'without effect' The New York attorney general’s office has asked a judge to void the $175 million bond former President Trump secured to put off paying the larger monetary damage award in his civil fraud case. Read more CNN analyst warns of 'civil unrest across the country' if Trump jailed for gag order violation CNN analyst Mark Preston said he thinks if former President Trump is jailed for violating the gag order in his hush money trial, there would be "civil unrest across the country" and it would help him in the polls. Read more Opinions in The Hill  Op-eds related to energy & environment submitted to The Hill: Earth Day 2024: The clock is ticking as the planet takes a licking  The comprehensive plastic policies the world needs for a clean future Biden's LNG pause a sensible step for climate stability, health of communities   You're all caught up. See you next week!  Check out The Hill's Energy & Environment page for the latest coverage. Like this newsletter? Take a moment to view our other topical products here 📩 Privacy Policy  |  Manage Subscriptions  |  Unsubscribe  1625 K Street NW, 9th Floor, Washington, DC 20006 Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved.

If you believe this has been sent to you in error, please safely unsubscribe.