The Department of the Interior is rolling out a long-term offshore oil and gas leasing schedule in the Gulf of America and Alaska’s Cook Inlet, delivering on President Donald Trump’s promise to expand US energy production and secure American energy independence. The program is a key provision of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR 1), signed earlier this year by the president.
“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a landmark step toward unleashing America’s energy potential,” said Interior Secretary Doug Burgum. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re putting in place a bold, long-term program that strengthens American Energy Dominance, creates good-paying jobs and ensures we continue to responsibly develop our offshore resources.”
The long-term leasing program marks a sharp departure from the Biden administration and former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, who spent four years crushing Alaska’s energy potential. Under Biden, lease sales in Cook Inlet were canceled and delayed, access to federal lands and waters was restricted, and regulatory hurdles multiplied by the dozens, effectively shutting down opportunities for Alaskans to develop their own resources.
The Trump-Burgum approach flips that script, restoring certainty and signaling that Alaska’s energy wealth will once again be tapped to strengthen America’s economy and security.
Interior Secretary Doug Burgum tours Katmai National Park and Kenai Cook Inlet energy sites
The plan calls for at least 30 lease sales in the Gulf of America through 2032, reaffirming the Gulf’s role as the backbone of offshore energy. The region accounts for about 14 to 15% of US crude oil output, supports hundreds of thousands of jobs, and drives tens of billions in annual economic activity. By locking in a predictable sale schedule, the administration aims to provide energy producers with the certainty needed for long-term investment in offshore infrastructure.
The Trump administration is making clear that Alaska will not take a back seat in America’s energy future. Cook Inlet will see six lease sales over the next seven years.
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“Alaska has powered this nation for decades, and under this administration, Alaska will lead again,” Burgum said. “Cook Inlet development means more jobs, stronger communities, and less dependence on foreign energy.”
The inclusion of Cook Inlet in the leasing schedule is in line with administration’s recognition that Alaska’s strategic location as a gateway to the Arctic gives it a pivotal role in U.S. energy dominance. For Alaskans, the benefits are expected to reach beyond the oil patch, with local communities poised to gain from job creation and infrastructure investment tied to energy development.
The first sale under the new law, Gulf of America Lease Sale “Big Beautiful Gulf 1,” is scheduled for Dec. 10. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management will issue a final notice of the sale at least 30 days in advance.