AFP Foundation Opens Investigation into Administration’s ANWR Lease Sale Cancelation

Sep 14, 2023 by AFP

ANCHORAGE, AK — Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFP Foundation) filed three Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests seeking information on the Biden administration’s unprecedented and unlawful cancellation of oil and gas leases in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The lease sales were lawfully awarded and required by federal law. 

A previous AFP Foundation investigation found the Biden administration misled the public about its reason for cancelling a separate lease sale in Alaska’s Cook Inlet.  

Over the past few years, the Biden administration has throttled American energy production while at the same time draining our Strategic Petroleum Reserve and begging for OPEC to delay production cuts.  

Meanwhile, oil prices are at a 10-month high, and Americans face rising prices on everything from gas to groceries to utility bills.  

Read the FOIA requests: 

Americans for Prosperity Foundation Director of Investigations Kevin Schmidt released the following statement: 

“Using the National Environmental Policy Act to cancel leases required by law is a clear abuse of executive power. If this decision stands, it effectively gives current and future Interior Secretaries veto power over any energy development on federal lands, regardless of congressional intent or federal law.  

After misleading Americans about its cancellation of the lease sale in Alaska’s Cook Inlet, the Interior Department has no credibility on energy development in Alaska. AFP Foundation hopes these FOIAs will help shed light on the administration’s misguided decision.” 

Americans for Prosperity Foundation-Alaska State Director Bethany Marcum released the following statement: 

“The Biden administration’s unlawful decision to cancel all oil and gas leases will have a detrimental impact on Alaskan jobs and American energy security. This is just the latest deliberate attack on domestic energy production by the Biden Administration. We can and should do better for Alaska and for our country.” 

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