What: On June 3, 2025, the Department of Interior Bureau of Land Management (BLM) published a proposed rule that, if adopted, will rescind the final rule, Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska.
Why: The BLM’s governing regulations for management of surface resources within the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (the Reserve) are located at 43 CFR part 2360. These regulations were previously updated by the May 7, 2024, final rule, Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska, with an effective date of June 6, 2024 (the 2024 Rule). The BLM has concluded that the 2024 Rule conflicts with and exceeds its statutory authority under the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976 (NPRPA), undermines the purpose of the NPRPA, and is inconsistent with national energy policy. Specifically, the proposed rule states:
- The 2024 Rule imposes restrictions on oil and gas activities in a manner that is inconsistent with the NPRPA.
- The 2024 Rule is unnecessary to effectively manage surface resources in the Reserve.
- The 2024 Rule is inconsistent with the priorities of the Trump administration, particularly:
- E.O. 14153, Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential, which highlights the need to unlock the abundant and largely untapped supply of energy resources within the State of Alaska and specifically directs the rescission of the 2024 rule.
- E.O. 14154, Unleashing American Energy and E.O. 14156, which declared a National Energy Emergency and directed federal agencies to appropriately address the inadequate development of domestic energy resources to maintain the United States’ prosperity and national security.
The BLM states it received approximately 89,000 public comments on the proposal for the 2024 Rule. Many of the comments expressed concern that the 2024 rule would have wide-ranging economic impacts that may have been materially underestimated in the BLM’s economic analysis. In re-evaluating the 2024 rule, the BLM is taking a closer look at those public comments and believes that they may raise important questions about whether the economic impacts of the 2024 rule were materially underestimated.
The BLM states the proposed rule, if adopted, could have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The BLM is seeking comments on all aspects of the proposed rule, including but not limited to the 2024 Rule’s consistency with statutory authority, its costs and benefits, its effects on extraction of oil and gas, and economic impacts. Small entities are encouraged to provide detailed information on direct cost implications and whether there are any regulatory alternatives that would minimize the impact on small entities.
Action: Read the proposed rule and submit comments through the Federal Register notice.
FEDERAL REGISTER NOTICE:
Rescission of the Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska Regulations
COMMENT DEADLINE
August 4, 2025
CONTACT:
Shanerika Flemings
EMAIL:
TOPIC(S):
Is your small business or entity being impacted by a proposed rule? If yes, write a comment letter to the proposing agency.