U.S. could sell oil leases in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge this year

By Reuters Staff

FILE PHOTO: Interior Secretary David Bernhardt testifies before a House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee hearing on the Interior Department's FY2020 budget request on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., May 7, 2019. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein

(Reuters) - U.S. Interior Secretary David Bernhardt on Monday said the department could hold an oil and gas lease sale in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by the end of this year.

On a conference call with reporters, Berhardt also said oil production could begin in the refuge in about 8 years and last for 50 years.

Reporting by Nichola Groom

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