Alaska Wilderness League Condemns President Trump’s Sweeping Actions Targeting Alaska’s Public Lands
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 1/21/2025
Contact: Sophia Grande | sophia@alaskawild.org | 240-447-7715
Alaska Wilderness League Condemns President Trump’s Sweeping Actions Targeting Alaska’s Public Lands
Washington, D.C. – Last night, hours after being sworn into office, President Donald Trump signed an Alaska-focused Executive Order that intends to expand fossil fuel extraction and mining on tens of millions of acres across Alaska, while simultaneously bypassing critical environmental protections for lands, air, water, and wildlife. The orders direct federal agencies to rescind safeguards for the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska, while fast-tracking permitting for oil and gas leasing, mining operations, and infrastructure projects like Ambler Road. Additional Executive Orders aim to rescind Arctic Ocean drilling protections, reform permitting nationwide, and increase resource extraction across the nation, while undermining a transition to a clean energy future. This reckless new direction - which he punctuated with the infamous, outdated phrase "drill, baby, drill" throughout the day - signals a direct assault on America’s public lands, Indigenous sovereignty, and the fight against climate change.
“President Trump’s inaugural address and first-day actions make it clear: he’s fixated on dragging our nation’s energy and public land policy backwards,” said Andy Moderow, Senior Director of Policy at Alaska Wilderness League. “These actions ignore what the free market has declared: there is no industry interest in Arctic Refuge oil extraction. Across Alaska, these are reckless and misguided attempts to industrialize Alaska’s lands and waters - a slap in the face to science, the American public, and Indigenous communities who seek land protections. We’re evaluating each Executive Order, and we are ready to fight off attacks, in Congress and the courtroom, each and every day to protect wild Alaska.”
Even before two failed lease sales in the Arctic Refuge, the American public has consistently voiced strong opposition, with a majority supporting permanent protection for the area. Conservation protections in the Western Arctic to protect key subsistence resources values were supported by strong science and Indigenous knowledge. Alaska Wilderness League, along with a broad coalition of conservation organizations, Indigenous leaders, and climate advocates, is committed to mobilizing efforts to challenge these executive actions.
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