White House approves increased oil and gas drilling in Alaska’s national wildlife refuge

<p>National Petroleum Reserve lease sales and permitting for road through Izembek wildlife refuge were also approved</p><p>The <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/trump-administration">Trump administration</a> has approved more oil and gas drilling across <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/alaska">Alaska’s</a> Arctic national wildlife refuge (ANWR), prompting widespread criticism from environmental conservation organizations.</p><p>On Thursday, the interior secretary <a href="https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/interior-takes-bold-steps-expand-energy-local-control-and-land-access-alaska">announced</a> the opening of 1.56m acres across ANWR’s coastal plains, which is home to various wildlife including polar bears, caribou and moose, as well as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/whales">whales</a> and seals.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/23/oil-gas-drilling-alaska-national-wildlife-refuge">Continue reading...</a>