US Interior approves auctioning oil leases in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

摘要

Anchorage-The US Interior Department approved a long-delayed Record of Decision Aug. 17 to allow oil and natural gas leasing in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, setting the stage for a possible lease sale by December. “Congress directed us to hold lease sales in the ANWR Coastal Plain, and we have taken a significant step in meeting our obligations by determining where and under what conditions the oil and gas development program will occur,” said Interior Secretary David Bernhardt in a statement Aug. 17. “Our program meets the legal mandate that Coastal Plain leaseholders get the necessary rights of way, easements and land areas for production and support facilities they need to find and develop these important Arctic oil and gas resources.”