Biden's new Arctic drilling regulations: A balancing act between environmental protection and oil interests

President Biden's proposed rules for Arctic drilling in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve aim to balance environmental conservation with oil industry interests, amidst significant climate change implications.

Heather Richards reports for E&E News.


In short:

  • The proposed rules could significantly impact future oil drilling in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve, with a focus on environmental protection.
  • These regulations follow Biden's approval of the Willow oil project, sparking debate over their effectiveness in aligning with climate commitments.
  • The rules are expected to consider cumulative impacts of oil activities, potentially making drilling more challenging in conservation areas.

Key quote:

"With climate change warming the Arctic more than twice as fast as the rest of the planet, we must do everything within our control to meet the highest standards of care to protect this fragile ecosystem."

— Deb Haaland, Interior Secretary

More Top News:

Visit Environmental Health News for the latest breaking news on environmental health and climate change.

Two firemen sitting in a vehicle

More than 87m people impacted by climate-related disasters in 2025

In 2025, more than 200 climate-related disasters affected more than 87.8 million people worldwide, according to preliminary figures from the International Disaster Database.

fire danger moderate today signage

Climate news is written in a language most people can't understand

A new report argues that English-only climate science and disaster alerts are excluding most of the world, and putting Indigenous communities at greater risk.
Terraced farm fields in a tropical location

Worries grow for Sulawesi farmers as nickel mining company plans expansion

Farmers around Indonesia’s Lake Towuti say plans to expand nickel mining for electric vehicle batteries threaten their ancestral lands, livelihoods and some of Sulawesi’s richest biodiversity.

Ilulissat, Greenland - coastal village with icebergs floating in bay

Arctic scientists 'feel pretty uncomfortable' on Greenland

Science in the Arctic — and Greenland — is on the frontline of pressing challenges facing humanity, like climate change and genetics. Some researchers worry international collaboration is at risk.
Donald Trump speaking at the 2013 Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in National Harbor, Maryland.
Credit: Gage Skidmore/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/8566717881/ https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

Trump’s biggest climate rollback stalls over fears it will lose in court

Trump officials have delayed finalizing the repeal of the agency’s “endangerment finding” over concerns the proposal is too weak to withstand a court challenge.
Solar panels juxtaposed against transmission lines and wind turbines
Credit: kckate16/ BigStock Photo ID: 478351339

Trump’s attacks on renewables could boomerang, hit oil and gas

The president’s assaults on wind and solar projects could become a playbook for disrupting fossil fuel plans in the future.
An illustration of a row of solar panels and wind turbines

The one big beautiful prediction: The energy transition is still alive

Trump has attacked renewable power from every angle, but energy justice scholar Sanya Carley envisions an affordable green future.
From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.