Arctic Refuge Protection Act

This bill, titled the "Arctic Refuge Protection Act," aims to repeal the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge oil and gas program that was established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. This repeal would eliminate the legal framework allowing for oil and gas exploration and development within the refuge, thereby preventing future drilling activities. The legislation seeks to reverse previous provisions that opened this sensitive area to resource extraction. A key provision of the bill is the designation of approximately 1,559,538 acres of the Arctic coastal plain within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a component of the National Wilderness Preservation System. This substantial area would be administered by the Secretary of the Interior under the Wilderness Act, ensuring its permanent protection. The bill emphasizes preserving the area's extraordinary natural ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans.