A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to "National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision".
Last recorded step: Became Law, Dec 5, 2025.
Nullifies a 2022 land management rule to reopen portions of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska to oil and gas leasing.
What it does
This joint resolution nullifies a 2022 Bureau of Land Management rule regarding the management of the 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. By overturning the 2022 plan, the resolution removes specific land protections that had closed approximately 48% of the reserve to oil and gas leasing. Consequently, the management of the area reverts to the standards established under the previous 2020 plan.
Who is affected
This resolution affects the Bureau of Land Management, which is responsible for managing the approximately 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska. It also impacts the oil and gas industry by reopening areas to leasing that were previously closed under the 2022 plan. Additionally, the resolution affects local communities on Alaska’s North Slope that rely on the reserve for subsistence and wildlife resources.
Key provisions
- Nullification of the 2022 National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska rule. The resolution disapproves and nullifies the Bureau of Land Management rule issued on April 25, 2022, regarding the Integrated Activity Plan for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.
- Removal of surface resource protections. The measure eliminates protections established under the 2022 plan that closed approximately 48% of the 23-million-acre reserve to oil and gas leasing to protect wildlife and subsistence uses.
- Reinstatement of the 2020 management plan. By nullifying the 2022 rule, the resolution reverts the management of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska to the standards and leasing availability set by the previous 2020 plan.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
Not applicable: Official Summary does not address effective dates
Relationship to existing law
This joint resolution nullifies the Bureau of Land Management's 2022 National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision. By repealing the 2022 rule, the resolution reverts management of the approximately 23-million-acre reserve to the previous plan established in 2020.
Stated purpose
This joint resolution aims to nullify the Bureau of Land Management's 2022 management plan for the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, thereby removing land protections established in that plan and reverting management of the 23-million-acre area to the 2020 plan.