Nov 9, Deadline to comment against fast-track oil drilling permits in Alaska’s Western Arctic
Monday, Nov 9, 2026, 9:30–9:59 pm MT — Deadline to comment against fast-track oil drilling permits in Alaska’s Western Arctic (NPR-A)
Summary: Qualifying oil and gas production sites in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska would get a decision within 60 days of a complete application, with no additional project-level environmental analysis required. To qualify, a project’s entire footprint would have to sit within 25 miles of existing permanent oil and gas infrastructure. The proposal came following a formal petition from the Alaska Oil and Gas Association. Earthjustice warns that new projects in the Western Arctic, including in Teshekpuk Lake, the Colville River and other special areas that have long been off limits to development, could be fast-tracked. The impacts analysis is missing: BLM published only a portion of the environmental impact statement for the proposed rule and did not include the section that analyzes its environmental impacts.
Federal Register notice: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/08/2026-18261/national-petroleum-reserve-in-alaska-production-site-development
Comment portal (rule): https://www.regulations.gov/document/BLM-2026-0133-0001 · RIN 1004-AF57
Draft EIS chapters (separate comment): Comments on the draft environmental chapters go through the BLM ePlanning site. Both close on November 9. Go to eplanning.blm.gov; the NEPA Number is DOI-BLM-AK-0000-2026-0012-EIS.
Snail mail: U.S. Department of the Interior, Director (630), Bureau of Land Management, 1849 C St. NW, Room 5646, Washington, DC 20240, Attention: RIN 1004-AF57. (This is BLM’s standard rulemaking address. I didn’t open the full ADDRESSES section to confirm it, so please check the Federal Register notice before posting.)
Ready-made alert:
Earthjustice’s press release is at https://earthjustice.org/press/2026/trump-administration-proposes-regulations-to-rubber-stamp-drilling-in-alaskas-western-arctic.
Their Pre-fab letter – https://earthjustice.org/action/no-shortcuts-for-oil-and-gas-companies?ms=web
Alaska Wilderness League and The Wilderness Society are also active on this issue. I didn’t find a pre-filled comment form yet.
Article: “BLM Proposes 60 Day Decisions for Arctic Oil Sites Within 25 Miles of Existing Alaska Infrastructure” URL link >>https://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/73225/20260907/blm-proposes-60-day-decisions-arctic-oil-sites-within-25-miles-existing-alaska-infrastructure.htm
Comments are likely due before midnight EST.