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 "Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Record of Decision".
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This resolution would nullify a federal rule that restricted oil and gas leasing areas within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
What it does
This joint resolution would nullify a 2024 Bureau of Land Management rule regarding oil and gas leasing within the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. By overturning this rule, the resolution would void the current management plan that limits leasing to 400,000 acres and makes approximately 1.2 million acres unavailable for exploration. This action would effectively remove the 2024 restrictions intended to protect resources and instead revert management toward previous standards that allowed for broader leasing across the program area.
Who is affected
This resolution primarily affects the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), as it would nullify the agency's 2024 rule and record of decision regarding oil and gas activities in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The measure also impacts entities involved in the leasing, development, production, and transport of oil and gas within the Coastal Plain program area. Additionally, the resolution affects stakeholders interested in the conservation of approximately 1.2 million acres that the 2024 rule had designated as unavailable for leasing or exploration.
Key provisions
- Nullification of Bureau of Land Management rule. The resolution would nullify the Bureau of Land Management rule issued on December 9, 2024, regarding the oil and gas leasing program within the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
- Reversal of 2024 Record of Decision. The measure would invalidate the 2024 Record of Decision (ROD) that restricted oil and gas leasing to the statutory minimum of 400,000 acres while making 1.2 million acres unavailable for exploration.
- Restoration of previous leasing availability. By nullifying the 2024 ROD, the resolution seeks to overturn the adoption of Alternative D2, which had replaced a 2020 decision that made approximately 1.6 million acres available for oil and gas leasing.
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 resolution utilizes the Congressional Review Act to nullify a Bureau of Land Management rule issued on December 9, 2024, regarding oil and gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. By nullifying the 2024 record of decision, the resolution would effectively overturn the adoption of Alternative D2 and its associated land use restrictions in the Coastal Plain program area.
Stated purpose
This joint resolution seeks to nullify a Bureau of Land Management rule and record of decision that restricted oil and gas leasing and exploration across approximately 1.2 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's Coastal Plain. By overturning the 2024 rule, the resolution aims to restore the 2020 standards that made the full 1.6 million-acre program area available for energy development.