The Biden administration has finalized rules that would restrict new oil and gas leasing and development in portions of a federal petroleum reserve in Alaska that are considered particularly sensitive

Environmentalists celebrate new rules but Alaska politicians call it an ‘illegal’ attack on state’s livelihood and predict lawsuits

President Joe Biden "doesn't have the authority" to ban oil and gas leasing on federal petroleum reserves in Alaska, Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan said Sunday

The moves also shore up support from tribes and conservation groups, but face criticism from Alaska lawmakers.

The Biden administration recently announced significant measures to restrict new oil and gas leasing on 13 million acres of federal petroleum reserve in Alaska. This decision aims to protect vulnerable wildlife such as caribou and polar bears as the Arctic region faces escalating challenges from climate change.

The Biden administration said Friday it will restrict new oil and gas leasing on 13 million acres of a federal petroleum reserve in Alaska to help protect wildlife. The decision -- part of a yearslong fight over whether and how to develop the vast oil resources in the state -- finalizes protections first proposed last year as the Democratic administration prepared to approve the contentious Willow oil project.

The Interior Department finalized a rule limiting future oil and gas development across 13 million acres of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.