Arizona Senate President Calls for Reversal of Biden Administration’s Energy Land Protections

Arizona Senate President Calls for Reversal of Biden Administration’s Energy Land Protections

EXCLUSIVE: The President of the Arizona Senate is appealing to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to reverse what he perceives as former President Joe Biden’s significant land acquisition in Arizona. This action has designated nearly one million acres in the state for future energy exploration, which state officials believe impedes domestic energy production.

Senator Petersen’s Vision for Energy Dominance

State Senator Warren Petersen, a Republican from Gilbert, sent a letter to Secretary Burgum, highlighting his intention to initiate immediate and substantial changes, including the reevaluation of specific national monument designations. Petersen expressed his goal to restore America’s energy independence by prioritizing energy resource development.

Petersen referenced a directive issued by Trump, which requested his administration to identify and annul actions that hinder the discovery and exploitation of domestic energy resources, particularly critical minerals and nuclear energy resources. He stated, “On his first day in office, President Trump directed you and the rest of his cabinet to immediately identify and rescind all agency actions that impose an undue burden on the development of domestic energy resources.”

Biden’s National Monument Designation

Biden’s proclamation established approximately 900,000 acres near the Grand Canyon as the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni, translating to Ancestral Footprints National Monument. This designation effectively prohibits exploration for what scientists estimate to be more than 300 million pounds of uranium. Senator Petersen argues that reversing this decision could enhance U.S. energy security by reducing reliance on foreign uranium and could unlock potential energy breakthroughs.

Historical Context and Controversies

The discourse around uranium mining and land designations in Arizona is part of a broader historical context. During Trump’s first term, Attorney General Jeff Sessions investigated potential misconduct involving Russian entities pursuing energy interests in the U.S. This followed the controversial sale of Uranium One to the Russian energy conglomerate Rosatom, which Trump referred to as the Real Russia Story during the 2016 electoral cycle.

In 2017, then-candidate Hillary Clinton dismissed claims of her connections to the uranium situation as unfounded, recognizing that allegations persistently circulated without substantial evidence.

Moreover, the Biden administration has enacted protections covering 28 million acres in Alaska, seeking to shield these areas from oil and gas interests, alongside 625 million marine acres along the coastlines for similar reasons. Petersen emphasized that, currently, nearly all uranium utilized in the United States originates from foreign sources. He noted that the Obama administration previously implemented a ban on domestic uranium mining, asserting that Biden’s recent actions have solidified this restriction.

Petersen’s Concerns Over Government Control

Senator Petersen expressed alarm over federal land management in Arizona, noting that the federal government already controls nearly half of the land in the state. He argues that recent national monument designation does not effectively offer protection to the Grand Canyon, challenging the stated purposes of these federal policies.

Among the reasons cited for establishing the new monument, Petersen highlighted the conservation of the northern grasshopper mouse, which reportedly harbors fleas infected with the plague. He questioned the justification for such a designation considering the long-term economic implications for Arizona residents.

Fighting Back Against Federal Overreach

Petersen conveyed his commitment to combat what he terms as unconstitutional federal overreach. He characterized the Obama and Biden administrations as having engaged in actions that stripped vital resources from Arizonans without justifiable reasons. He stated, “The previous administration trashed the Constitution to steal land and critical resources from Arizonans.”

He expressed optimism about working alongside the Trump administration, stating that together they could reverse what he described as rampant federal overreach and enable Arizona to reclaim its Tenth Amendment rights.

Restoring Control and Energy Independence

Petersen concluded his statement by affirming his belief that President Trump and Secretary Burgum possess the vision and commitment to help Arizona recover from what he perceives as the unconstitutional actions of the prior administration. He stated, “We know President Trump and Secretary Burgum will help make Arizona great again as our state and nation heal from the unconstitutional onslaught of the previous administration.”