Supporters of drilling have viewed development
as a way to bolster oil production, generate
revenue and create or sustain jobs.
A state corporation, the Alaska Industrial
Development and Export Authority, was the
sale’s main bidder. Its executive director, Alan
Weitzner, in a statement, said in winning nine
tracts, “Alaska preserves the right to responsibly
develop its natural resources.”
Members of the state’s congressional
delegation, in a statement released by the
land management agency, lauded the day as
momentous. Gov. Mike Dunleavy, on Twitter,
called the lease sale “historic for Alaska and
tremendous for America.”
“Alaskans have waited two generations for this
moment; I stand with them in support of this
day,” he said.
Kate MacGregor, a deputy Interior Department
secretary, said the sale marked, in part, the
Trump administration’s commitment to working
“to fulfill the goal of U.S. energy security for
decades to come.”
“And when it comes to Arctic national security,
today’s sale will further demonstrate the United
States will have a long-term economic presence,”
she added.
It was not clear heading into the sale what level
of interest there would be among companies. A
number of banks had announced plans to stop
lending to projects in the Arctic, and President-
elect Joe Biden has expressed opposition to
drilling in the refuge.
While U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Gleason
on Tuesday refused to halt the sale, she has yet