Trump Administration to Offer More Leases for Drilling in Arctic Refuge

Bids for tracts in the refuge's 1.6-million-acre coastal plain will be opened in June.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 9:29pm

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A serene, painterly landscape depicting a solitary oil derrick set against the dramatic mountains of the Arctic, conveying the tension between energy extraction and environmental protection in this remote and pristine region.The Trump administration's push to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development faces continued legal challenges from conservation groups and Indigenous communities.Kaktovik Today

The Trump administration announced it will soon offer leases to oil and gas companies to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, angering critics who say the efforts will face legal challenges. The Bureau of Land Management said it will sell leases for tracts in the refuge's coastal plain, with bids to be opened in June. This comes after a recent lease sale in the nearby National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska that drew heavy industry interest.

Why it matters

Drilling in the Arctic refuge has been a contentious issue for decades, with conservationists and Indigenous groups arguing it would threaten wildlife and subsistence hunting, while Alaska's political leaders have long pushed for development. The upcoming lease sale could reignite the debate, especially as high oil prices due to global tensions have increased industry interest in new drilling prospects.

The details

The Bureau of Land Management said it will sell leases for tracts in the 1.6-million-acre coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. A sale notice will be published in the Federal Register on Monday, and sealed bids must be received by June 3. This follows a recent lease sale in the nearby National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska that drew heavy interest from oil companies.

  • The bids for the leases will be opened in June 2026.
  • The Trump administration passed the Tax Cut and Jobs Act in 2017, requiring lease sales in the Arctic refuge.

The players

Bureau of Land Management

The federal agency that oversees the sale of leases for oil and gas development on public lands.

Gwich'in Steering Committee

An organization representing the Gwich'in people, who hunt the caribou in the Arctic refuge and oppose drilling there.

Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority

A state agency that purchased seven 10-year leases covering 365,000 acres in the refuge's first lease sale in 2021, hoping to team up with companies to explore the area for oil.

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What they’re saying

“We condemn these efforts by the Trump administration to exploit the calving grounds of the Porcupine Caribou herd for short-term gain, and we know that the majority of Americans stand beside us in opposing development in this cherished and irreplaceable landscape.”

— Kristen Moreland, Executive Director, Gwich'in Steering Committee

“The record-breaking success of last month's lease sale in Alaska's National Petroleum Reserve sent a clear signal: There is robust and continuing demand for Alaskan energy, underscoring the need for more opportunities like the Coastal Plain sale.”

— Bill Groffy, Acting Director, Bureau of Land Management

What’s next

Conservation groups and the Gwich'in people have said they will file lawsuits challenging any new leases issued for drilling in the Arctic refuge.

The takeaway

The upcoming Arctic refuge lease sale highlights the ongoing debate over balancing energy development and environmental protection in Alaska's sensitive ecosystems. While the Trump administration is pushing for more drilling, opponents vow to fight the plans in court, setting the stage for another chapter in the long-running dispute.