HOUSTON – The Energy Workforce & Technology Council (EWTC) released the following statement commending President Trump’s recent executive actions aimed at expanding oil and gas development in Alaska, particularly in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). These measures will bolster America’s energy security and stimulate economic growth.
On March 20, 2025, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum announced plans to reopen 82% of Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve and the 1.56-million-acre Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas leasing. This initiative also includes lifting restrictions on land along the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Corridor and Dalton Highway, facilitating development projects such as the Ambler Road and Alaska Liquefied Natural Gas Pipeline.
“President Trump’s decisive actions to unlock Alaska’s vast energy resources mark a pivotal moment for the U.S. energy sector,” said Energy Workforce President Tim Tarpley. “By opening up the ANWR and NPR-A to responsible oil and gas exploration, we are not only enhancing our nation’s energy security but also creating substantial economic opportunities for the over 7,677 energy service sector employees in Alaska and the broader American workforce. This move underscores the administration’s commitment to fostering a robust energy industry that benefits all Americans. These policy changes will lead to increased investment in energy infrastructure, job creation, and a more secure energy future for the United States.”
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About Energy Workforce & Technology Council:
Energy Workforce & Technology Council is the national trade association for the global energy technology and services sector, representing more than 650,000 U.S. jobs in the technology-driven energy value chain. Energy Workforce works to advance member policy priorities and empower the energy workforce of the future.
Karina Erickson, Communications Director, writes about governmental policies for the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. Click here to subscribe to the Energy Workforce newsletter, which highlights sector-specific issues, best practices, activities and more.
