U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, a ranking member on the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, raised questions regarding state priorities with Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. The meeting was on the Interior Department’s budget for Fiscal Year 2022. Sen. Murkowski stated that Alaska has proven itself capable of safe, responsible resource development and pressed Haaland on her commitment to following the law regarding resource development in Alaska.
Murkowski was referencing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 states: “The Secretary [of the Interior] shall offer a second lease sale under the oil and gas program under this section not later than 7 years after the date of enactment of this Act.” A corresponding Associated Press report states that Murkowski was surprised that Haaland did not address the court ruling – or the government’s vast oil and gas leasing program – in her prepared remarks.
A federal judge in Louisiana halted the Biden administration’s pause of oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters. The preliminary injunction will allow lease sales to move forward while a lawsuit filed against the federal government by 13 states, one of which includes Alaska, proceeds through court. The states say that the president didn’t allow legal procedure to institute the moratorium since there was no public commenting period.
Federal lawyers argue that no public notice was needed since the suspension was an executive order.
