On August 18, 2020 The Vuntut Gwitchin Government and the Gwich’in Tribal Council issued the following media release regarding their response to the ROD for the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
On August 24, 2020 Trustees for Alaska filed a lawsuit against recent Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program decisions.
The United Nations Committee of the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) is investigating the U.S. regarding alleged human rights violations of the proposed oil and gas development in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The U.S. has been asked to respond to by October 30, 2020.
As the second quarter of 2020 rolls by, the likelihood of a federal oil and gas lease sale this year in the 2002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is becoming more remote.
This article quotes DOI Secretary Bernhardt and includes discussion around potential effects that the recent crash in oil prices might have on a lease sale: “I know there will be a record of decision signed, I believe there will be a call for nominations, and I believe there will likely be a lease sale” this year, Bernhardt said, while acknowledging the unpredictability of the coronavirus pandemic has made it difficult to be unequivocal about anything.
Alaskan Senator Lisa Murkowski was quoted in an article published June 15, 2020 that she anticipates a lease sale this summer. Article extract and link below.