Limits drilling to 13.3 mln acres (Il Sole 24 Ore Radiocor) - New York, 19 Apr - The Biden administration has taken measures to protect Alaska's environment and habitat including ensuring the entire United States Arctic Ocean is off limits to new oil and gas leasing.

"I am proud that my Administration is taking action to conserve more than 13 million acres in the Western Arctic and to honor the culture, history, and enduring wisdom of Alaska Natives," President Joe Biden said in a statement.

Under the plan put forward by the Interior Department, future oil leasing and development will be limited to 13.3 million acres of the 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve Alaska designated as 'special areas.' And leasing is completely blocked across 10.6 million acres.

"The final rule codifies protections for 13.3 million acres encompassed by the existing Special Areas, limiting future oil and gas leasing and industrial development in the Teshekpuk Lake, Utukok Uplands, Colville River, Kasegaluk Lagoon, and Peard Bay Special Areas," the Department of the Interior said in a statement.

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(RADIOCOR) 19-04-24 19:11:01 (0618) 5 NNNN