President Joe Biden’s approach to the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska puts ever heavier emphasis on the reserving bit. “Preserve” might be more of an accurate description at this point. The White House just announced a final rule effectively preventing oil development across more than half the 23 million acre area on Alaska’s North Slope. It is the latest chapter in Biden’s tightrope walk between pump prices and progressives’ priorities.

The NPR-A was set aside in 1923 as a strategic source of potential oil supply for the US Navy, with administration passed to the Department of the Interior by Congress in 1976. That legislation directed Interior to “conduct an expeditious program of competitive leasing of oil and gas in the Reserve.” The NPR-A’s “special areas” — particularly sensitive parts of the reserve — are afforded “maximum protection,” but only “to the extent consistent with the requirements of this Act.” In short, the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act sought to balance environmental concerns with the designated purpose of the NPR-A: A source of potential oil supply.

QOSHE - Biden Trades Alaskan Oil Tomorrow for Progressive Votes Today - Liam Denning
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Biden Trades Alaskan Oil Tomorrow for Progressive Votes Today

15 0
19.04.2024

President Joe Biden’s approach to the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska puts ever heavier emphasis on the reserving bit. “Preserve” might be more of an accurate description at this point. The White House just announced a final rule effectively preventing oil........

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