We’re thrilled to share an exciting win for Alaska’s environment! Recently, a federal district court judge overturned Lease Sale 258, marking a significant victory for our coastal communities and the Cook Inlet ecosystem.
Photo credit: Paxson Woelber
Lease Sale 258 was a proposal by the Interior Department to auction off offshore oil and gas drilling rights in Lower Cook Inlet. Initially canceled in May 2022, it was reinstated following the Inflation Reduction Act. This lease covered critical habitats for the endangered Cook Inlet beluga whale and other marine life. According to government data, offshore drilling in this area carries a 20 percent chance of a large oil spill, posing significant risks to the region’s delicate ecosystem and exacerbating the climate crisis.
The court’s decision mandates the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to conduct a supplementary environmental review to determine whether additional protections are necessary or if the lease sale should be redone. During this review, Hilcorp’s lease is suspended, safeguarding the critical habitats in Cook Inlet.
We are incredibly grateful to our grantee partner, Cook Inletkeeper, for their relentless efforts in this fight. Supported by a $10,000 Rapid Response Grant from Alaska Conservation Foundation, Cook Inletkeeper launched a comprehensive campaign to pressure the Biden Administration to remove Lower Cook Inlet from future leasing plans. This campaign included impactful media content and a social influencer strategy highlighting the dangers of fossil fuel reliance.
In December 2022, Cook Inletkeeper, alongside national conservation organizations, entered litigation to halt Lease Sale 258. The Rapid Response grant enabled swift action and broad engagement in the national effort to protect Lower Cook Inlet. This collaboration was crucial in the Biden Administration’s decision to exclude Lower Cook Inlet from the next five-year offshore oil and gas leasing plan.
This victory is a testament to the power of collective action and the importance of protecting our environment. Thanks to the efforts of many, we have taken a significant step toward safeguarding the Cook Inlet ecosystem for future generations.
