Maryland Attorney General Joins Multistate Effort to Block Arctic Oil Drilling

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a coalition of 13 other state attorneys general in filing a legal brief opposing expanded oil and gas development on Alaska’s Arctic Coastal Plain. This action supports ongoing lawsuits that challenge a federal decision to permit extensive leasing for oil and gas extraction in this sensitive region. The coalition argues that such development poses significant environmental risks, including harm to migratory birds and increased greenhouse gas emissions that exacerbate climate change impacts felt in their home states.

The states contend that federal agencies failed to adequately comply with environmental review laws, conducting a rushed process that overlooked less harmful alternatives and disregarded requirements for public engagement and transparency. The Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is a vast area critical for the survival of numerous species, notably providing essential breeding and feeding grounds for millions of migratory birds. These birds travel thousands of miles annually and are vital components of ecosystems across North America, including those in the Chesapeake Bay region of Maryland. Many of these species are also protected under state law and contribute to economies through activities like birdwatching and hunting.

This brief is filed in support of three separate lawsuits initiated by Alaska Native communities and environmental organizations. The legal challenge specifically targets the environmental review and subsequent authorization of an oil and gas leasing program. Similar efforts were undertaken in 2020, which led to a halt in development in 2021 due to identified legal deficiencies. Despite this, a nearly identical program was authorized in 2025 following congressional action. The attorneys general involved, in addition to Maryland, include those from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. They emphasize that residents of their states are already experiencing the adverse effects of climate change, such as extreme weather events, and that further drilling in the Arctic would worsen these conditions.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General’s Office.

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