August 14, 2025
Trump opens Arctic refuge drilling before Putin summit
Environmental rollbacks culminate as leaders meet on territory sold by czar
⚡Energy🌱Environment🌍Foreign Policy✊Civil Rights
Trump signed executive orders in January 2025 opening Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling after Biden protected it.
The Interior Department opened most of the 23-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska for drilling, reversing decades of environmental protections.
The Interior Department plans drilling in the High Arctic offshore area where US territorial claims aren't internationally recognized.
Trump hosted Putin on August 15, 2025 in Alaska—territory Russia sold to America in 1867 for $7.2 million, equivalent to $157 million in 2025 dollars.
The Arctic refuge was protected from drilling for decades due to critical wildlife habitat and indigenous cultural significance.
The Gwich'in people oppose drilling because it threatens caribou calving grounds central to their survival and culture.
⚡Energy🌱Environment🌍Foreign Policy✊Civil Rights
Test Your Knowledge
10
Q1
How much did Russia sell Alaska to the United States for in 1867?
Q2
Trump's executive orders opened {{blank_1}} million acres in the National Petroleum Reserve and the entire {{blank_2}} to oil drilling, reversing protections that the {{blank_3}} administration put in place.
Q3
Match each Trump administration official with their role in Alaska drilling expansion.
Q4
What percentage of Alaska's land does the federal government control?
Q5
What do the Gwich'in people call the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain?
5 more questions available
Upgrade to Premium to access all practice questions and unlock advanced quiz features.
Upgrade to PremiumThese questions are part of the Trump opens Arctic refuge drilling before Putin summit topic. Master this topic by completing the quiz or exploring each question in detail.
Ready to test your knowledge?
Take the full quiz to master this topic and track your progress.
Start Quiz
