On November 19, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Build Back Better Act (Act) with a provision to restore protections to the Coastal Plain of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Act effectively repeals the Trump Administration’s mandate for oil and gas development in the Coastal Plain and cancels the leases issued.
The Build Back Better Act still requires a majority vote in the Senate before President Biden can sign it into law.
The provision:
REPEAL OF THE ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE OIL AND GAS PROGRAM.
Section 20001 of Public Law 115–97 is repealed and any leases issued pursuant to section 20001 of Public Law 115–97 are hereby cancelled and all payments related to the leases shall be returned to the lessee(s) within 30 days of enactment of this Act.
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