The Department of the Interior will propose a rule through the Marine Minerals Administration to modify 2016 federal regulations governing exploratory oil and gas drilling on the U.S. Arctic Outer Continental Shelf.
The coming changes are aimed at reducing “unnecessary regulatory burdens, improve clarity and operational efficiency, and better reflect technological advancements and implementation experience since the 2016 rule was issued” under the Obama administration, according to an Interior statement.
“President Trump has made clear that America must fully avail itself of Alaska’s extraordinary resource potential for the benefit and security of the Nation and the citizens who call Alaska home,” said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum in announcing the plan. “This proposed rule reflects a disciplined, mission-focused approach that strengthens regulatory efficiency, reduces unnecessary barriers and ensures that Arctic energy exploration proceeds safely, responsibly and under strong federal oversight.”
The 2016 Arctic Exploratory Drilling Rule was finalized in the Obama administration after a long campaign by environmental groups for stricter safeguards. President Obama had used a provision in the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which has previously been applied only to protect smaller marine wildlife habitats to take areas in the Chukchi and Beaufort seas off the table from the offshore oil and gas leasing.
The rule then “established a burdensome regulatory framework for exploratory drilling and related operations on the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf,” according to Interior officials. Their proposed updates – to be published in the Federal Register initiating a 90-day public comment period – will
Updated requirements will address blowout preventer real-time monitoring; Arctic source control and containment equipment, relief rig capability, subsea isolation devices, mudline cellars, oil spill response plan-holder reviews, crane operations on artificial islands, and suspensions of operations and production.
“The proposed rule is designed to provide operators with clearer, more flexible compliance options while preserving federal authority to review, approve, condition or require additional safeguards for proposed Arctic Outer Continental Shelf activities,” according to the agency. However, it “does not approve any specific lease sale, exploration plan, permit or drilling activity.”
The rule proposal comes just weeks after the Marine Minerals Administration was reunified with the Bureau of Offshore Energy Management. It’s continuing a pattern of policy reversals through the Obama, Biden and Trump administrations dealing with natural resources and energy.
As for environmental safeguards in Arctic waters, the Trump administration is not broadcasting an intent to dramatically change federal reviews.
”The Marine Minerals Administration will continue to evaluate any proposed Arctic Outer Continental Shelf operations through established federal review processes, including environmental review, exploration plan review, permit review, oil spill response plan review, inspections and compliance oversight. Existing statutory authorities, regulatory protections and public engagement opportunities remain in place throughout the transition to the Marine Minerals Administration.”
