Click for the latest from The Hill{beacon} Energy & Environment Energy & Environment   The Big Story Companies decline to drill in Alaska wildlife refugeAlaska on Wednesday

Oil companies have been hesitant to pursue resources at Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in part because of high costs of development, and public relations challenges around drilling in a wildlife sanctuary.

Republicans said they were seeking ways to quickly reverse the restrictions in the state’s North Slope region.

Alaska on Wednesday sued the Biden administration over restrictions the federal government imposed in December on oil and gas leases in the Arctic set for auction this week. The lawsuit alleges

President Joe Biden's administration on Thursday moved to put more of Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge off limits to oil and gas development, in a last-minute bid to complicate President-elect Donald Trump's efforts to boost drilling in the area.