Experts rally around Trump’s under the radar executive order unlocking ‘critical’ project blocked by Biden
President Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office that has largely been overlooked by the media but experts believe will have a significant impact on developing mineral resources in the United States. The executive order advances the Ambler Access Project, a 211-mile industrial road in Northwest Alaska that will enable commercial mining for copper, zinc, and other materials in a remote Arctic area.
This executive order, one of many signed by Trump in the early hours of his presidency, reverses a move by former President Biden to block the project. According to experts interviewed by Fox News Digital, this represents a major shift in energy policy. Gabriella Hoffman, Director of the Independent Women’s Forum Center for Energy & Conservation, stated that President Biden’s actions discouraged tapping into Alaska’s natural resources and public lands access, whereas President Trump recognizes Alaska’s potential to meet domestic energy and national security needs.
The Ambler Access Project has undergone extensive environmental review and is expected to bring economic development to rural communities in need. Research by the University of Alaska Center for Economic Development estimates that the project could create thousands of jobs and generate around $1 billion for the state in revenue. Daniel Turner, founder and Executive Director of Power The Future, described the project as crucial for Alaska’s economic growth and criticized the bureaucratic hurdles that have delayed its development.
The timing of unlocking the Ambler Access Project is significant in light of China’s dominance in the market for critical minerals. The US currently relies heavily on China for these minerals, which has raised concerns about national security. Turner pointed out that delays in projects like Ambler Road have increased US dependency on China for raw materials.
Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska expressed optimism about the future of his state’s mineral resources under the Trump administration. He highlighted the importance of reversing Biden’s denial of the Ambler road and emphasized the need to reduce US reliance on China for critical minerals. Sullivan also criticized Biden’s decision to provide aid for building infrastructure in Angola to produce critical minerals, calling it “insane.”
In addition to the Ambler Access Project, Trump’s executive order directs agencies to revise and rescind actions that impose burdens on domestic mining. White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly stated that the administration is committed to securing America’s energy future and creating jobs through the development of domestic mineral resources.
Overall, experts believe that the Ambler Access Project and other initiatives under Trump’s executive order will play a critical role in developing mineral resources in the United States, reducing dependency on foreign suppliers, and boosting economic growth. This move represents a shift in energy policy that prioritizes national security and economic prosperity.
