"Even though the interest in today’s sale was tepid, the new leasing still poses significant threats to habitat, iconic wildlife, and Indigenous ways of life," said Earthjustice.

The Trump administration’s push to expand oil and gas development in Alaska faces a new test Friday.

The Trump administration’s push to expand oil and gas development in Alaska faces a new test Friday

JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Trump administration's push to expand oil and gas development in Alaska faces a new test Friday, with the latest lease sale set for the Arctic

On Friday, the Bureau of Land Management is set to hold an oil and gas lease sale bid opening for tracts of land in the Coastal Plain.

The Trump administration is auctioning off tracts in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge's Coastal Plain, following a record-breaking $163.7M NPR-A lease sale in March.

“Some places are too important to sacrifice,” said one Indigenous leader as the Trump administration invited fossil fuel companies to drill in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in July of last year, BLM is required to hold at least four lease sales in the Coastal Plain by 2035.

The Trump administration held its first lease in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska today in its attempt to boost oil and gas drilling.

"Even though the interest in today’s sale was tepid, the new leasing still poses significant threats to habitat, iconic wildlife, and Indigenous ways of life," said Earthjustice.

The administration opened up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil extraction, but only two companies bought in.