An oil pipeline stretching across a landscape.

Trump officials court support in Alaska for drilling and massive gas pipeline plan

The Trump administration sent top officials to Alaska this week to advance oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and revive a $44 billion natural gas pipeline project aimed at exports to Asia.

Becky Bohrer reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin are meeting with Alaska lawmakers and Indigenous leaders to push forward fossil fuel projects previously stalled under the Biden administration.
Trump’s executive order seeks to reinstate canceled leases in the Arctic refuge, while state officials push for greater federal revenue sharing from oil and gas projects.
Asian countries including Japan and South Korea are being pressured to invest in the proposed 810-mile pipeline, though no firm financial commitments have been made.

Key quote:

“I think we should be looking at climate solutions that work for Alaskans, not trying to open up places that industry is taking a pass on, namely the Arctic refuge.”

— Andy Moderow, senior policy director with the Alaska Wilderness League

Why this matters:

The renewed push for oil and gas development in Alaska reflects a broader debate about the economic future of a state dependent on fossil fuels and the global urgency of addressing climate change. Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has long been controversial, both for its potential impacts on wildlife and the cultural significance of the land to Indigenous communities. The Trump administration’s visit signals a return to aggressive fossil fuel advocacy, with strategic geopolitical undertones as it seeks foreign investment from energy-hungry nations like Japan and South Korea. The proposed gas pipeline would run more than 800 miles through remote tundra, raising concerns about construction impacts, methane emissions, and long-term viability in a rapidly warming Arctic. Meanwhile, shifting oil prices and unsteady markets cast doubt on the promise of sustained economic gains.

apnews.com

Trump officials court support in Alaska for drilling and massive gas pipeline plan

Climate change is emptying forests of insects, even in places we thought were safe

Trump moves to rewrite the rules of science — literally

FEMA chaos raises fears for hurricane season

Protests as Trump officials push Alaska oil and gas expansion

Scientists call for urgent ocean protections as warming seas threaten ecosystems

China’s control of key minerals threatens U.S. auto and EV production

Himalayan glacier melt threatens water security for nearly 2 billion in South Asia

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.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

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

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

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.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

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