The Department of the Interior has announced that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) received no bids for the oil and gas lease sale in the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The deadline for submitting bids was January 6, marking the end of the second congressionally mandated sale required by the 2017 Tax Act.

This recent lack of interest follows a similar outcome from a previous sale held by an earlier administration, which resulted in $14.4 million in high bids on 11 tracts. The Tax Act had anticipated that these sales would generate approximately $2 billion over ten years.

In the first sale, nine leases were sold. Two leases held by oil companies were canceled and refunded at their request, while Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland canceled seven others due to legal deficiencies. Currently, there are no existing leases in this area.

Acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis commented on this development: “The lack of interest from oil companies in development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge reflects what we and they have known all along – there are some places too special and sacred to put at risk with oil and gas drilling. This proposal was misguided in 2017, and it’s misguided now.”

Daniel-Davis further noted that "the BLM has followed the law and held two lease sales that have exposed the false promises made in the Tax Act." She suggested that instead of speculative leasing in such a unique environment, focus should be placed on undeveloped leases elsewhere.

The Arctic Refuge is located in northeastern Alaska and is home to diverse wildlife and rich cultural traditions. It is recognized as a critical habitat for both migratory and resident species, offering significant recreational values. Additionally, it contains extensive designated Wilderness areas within its boundaries. The region holds traditional significance for both Iñupiat people from northern Alaska and Gwichʼin people from interior Alaska and Canada.