Trump Administration Moves<br />Forward With Controversial<br />Drilling in Alaska Wilderness .<br />The Trump administration is seeking to advance oil<br />exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). .<br />Earlier this year, Trump and his administration<br />finalized their decision to open up the ANWR’s<br />1.56 million acre costal plain for leasing. .<br />Now, the Bureau of Land Management’s<br />Alaska state office will reportedly publish<br />“requests for nominations” on Tuesday. .<br />The specifics are unknown, but the site describes it<br />as a “Coastal Plain Alaska Oil and Gas Lease Sale.”.<br />The move forward is being largely criticized by environmentalists, as President-elect Joe Biden has<br />pledged to “permanently protect” the ANWR.<br />Biden’s efforts may be complicated<br />if Trump’s administration sells drilling rights prior<br />to Biden’s inauguration in January 2021. .<br />The ANWR, compromised of 19 million acres,<br />is home to polar bears, gray wolves, caribou<br />and more than 200 bird species. .<br />If drilling is allowed in the ANWR, opponents<br />believe it could negatively affect the landscape, harm<br />the animal species and exacerbate climate change.
