Executive Order 14153
Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential
Signed on January 20, 2025
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14153, which mandates the removal of federal restrictions on energy, mining, and logging projects in Alaska. The order directs federal agencies to reverse environmental protections, expedite permitting for oil and gas drilling, and prioritize the development of Alaska’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure. It also revokes conservation measures implemented by the previous administration, including protections for public lands and Indigenous territories.
🔗 Read the Executive Order on the Federal Register
🔗 Read the White House Announcement
What You Should Know
This order prioritizes fossil fuel extraction over environmental protections and Indigenous rights.
The order reverses key regulations that protected Alaska’s federal lands, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the National Petroleum Reserve. It lifts moratoriums on oil and gas leases, fast-tracks mining operations, and removes federal oversight on projects with potential environmental risks. By doing so, it opens millions of acres to industrial development with minimal regulatory review.
Additionally, the order directs agencies to revoke land protections that safeguard Indigenous lands and subsistence hunting areas. It specifically denies the establishment of an Indigenous sacred site in ANWR, disregarding tribal sovereignty and the rights of Alaska Native communities.
Climate change and ecological stability take a backseat to short-term industry profits.
Alaska is one of the fastest-warming regions in the world due to climate change, yet this order accelerates fossil fuel extraction without considering the long-term environmental consequences. Increased drilling and mining will contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, permafrost thaw, and the destruction of fragile ecosystems that support wildlife such as polar bears, caribou, and migratory birds.
The order also revokes policies that protected Alaska’s national parks and preserves, allowing roads, pipelines, and other infrastructure projects to disrupt untouched wilderness areas. This shift in policy threatens not only local biodiversity but also the global fight against climate change.
The primary beneficiaries of this order are fossil fuel companies and foreign markets.
While the order claims to strengthen U.S. energy independence, much of the extracted LNG and oil will be exported to foreign markets. The order prioritizes the rapid expansion of Alaska’s LNG infrastructure, including the construction of new pipelines and export terminals designed to supply overseas buyers, particularly in Asia.
Rather than lowering energy costs for Americans, this policy ensures continued profitability for oil and gas corporations while leaving U.S. consumers vulnerable to price fluctuations. It also diverts attention and resources away from renewable energy investments that could provide long-term economic and environmental benefits.
Who Wins?
Fossil fuel and mining corporations
By eliminating environmental restrictions and fast-tracking permits, oil, gas, and mining companies gain unrestricted access to Alaska’s vast resources. The rollback of conservation policies allows them to maximize profits while minimizing oversight, leading to increased extraction at the expense of public lands and local communities.
Right-wing politicians and deregulation advocates
This order aligns with efforts to dismantle environmental protections and reduce federal oversight on industrial projects. It allows conservative politicians to claim victory in the fight against what they call “burdensome regulations,” despite the long-term costs to public health and sustainability.
Foreign energy markets and international investors
By prioritizing LNG exports, the order benefits global energy markets over American households. Countries that rely on U.S. fossil fuels, particularly in Asia, will have a steady supply of natural gas, while the environmental costs remain in the U.S.
Who Loses?
Alaska Native communities
This order directly undermines Indigenous land rights and subsistence hunting practices by prioritizing industrial expansion over cultural and environmental protections. By revoking efforts to establish an Indigenous sacred site in ANWR and rolling back land protections, the administration disregards the sovereignty and traditions of Alaska Native communities.
The environment and wildlife
Expanded drilling, logging, and mining will have devastating consequences for Alaska’s ecosystems. Increased industrial activity will destroy habitats, threaten endangered species, and heighten the risk of oil spills and pollution. The Arctic, which already faces extreme climate challenges, will suffer further degradation due to increased carbon emissions and habitat disruption.
Future generations and climate stability
At a time when climate scientists emphasize the urgency of reducing fossil fuel dependence, this order doubles down on destructive practices. The long-term consequences will be felt globally, as increased carbon emissions accelerate climate change, leading to more extreme weather, rising sea levels, and loss of biodiversity.
Public lands and conservation efforts
This order reverses decades of conservation work that aimed to protect Alaska’s natural beauty and ecological integrity. By opening federal lands to industrial development, it diminishes recreational, scientific, and conservation efforts that have preserved these areas for future generations.
Executive Order 14153 represents a sweeping rollback of environmental protections, Indigenous land rights, and climate-conscious policies. By prioritizing fossil fuel extraction and industrial expansion, it sacrifices long-term ecological and economic stability in favor of short-term corporate gains. While framed as an effort to boost the U.S. economy and energy security, the reality is that it benefits large corporations and foreign markets while leaving American communities and ecosystems vulnerable to irreversible damage.
Take Action
Stay informed and challenge misinformation.
Corporate interests and political narratives often disguise the true impact of environmental deregulation. Research policies, fact-check claims, and educate others on the long-term consequences of unchecked resource extraction.
Support Indigenous sovereignty and environmental protections.
Advocate for policies that protect Alaska Native land rights and conservation efforts. Support organizations that work to safeguard Indigenous sovereignty, public lands, and climate action.
Demand investment in renewable energy and sustainable policies.
Transitioning to clean energy is essential for long-term economic and environmental health. Urge policymakers to prioritize renewable energy projects and hold leaders accountable for decisions that harm public lands and climate stability.
Misinformation and corporate interests often shape public perception of energy and environmental policies. Always verify sources, seek out expert analysis, and stay engaged in efforts to protect natural resources and Indigenous rights. The future of Alaska’s wilderness, wildlife, and communities depends on informed and active advocacy.
