Trump Administration Takes Final Steps to Auction Drilling Rights in Arctic Wildlife Refuge

The Trump administration is taking the final steps to secure oil development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, starting a leasing process to strike deals with drillers to operate in the pristine, 19-million-acre wilderness before Democratic President-elect Joe Biden can stop it.

Mr. Biden has vowed to block plans for oil drilling in this northwest corner of Alaska. Congress passed a mandate to lease oil rights in part of the refuge in its tax overhaul in 2017—when Republican majorities controlled both the House and Senate. Mr. Trump’s Interior Department has said it expects a lease sale by January. Mr. Biden is slated to be inaugurated on Jan. 20.