On Sunday, January 25, President Obama and Interior Secretary Jewell announced a plan to ask Congress to declare much of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) as wilderness, including the coastal plain. If the President succeeds in changing the area’s designation, exploration and production would forever be prevented on the coastal plain. Alaska’s congressional delegation and Governor were quick to react to the announcement, saying the statement “declared war on Alaska’s future.”
All four had strong words against the President’s call to designate the additional area in ANWR as wilderness. Governor Walker stated that the move was “a major setback toward reaching that goal,” referring to the goal of increased production in Alaska to rebuild the state economy.
Senator Murkowski believes that the bid will not pass the Republican-led Congress but does bring the environmental issue back into the minds of the nation. Senator Murkowski is the chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, which together have oversight of the Interior Department’s underlying legislative authority and budgets.
Senator Sullivan pledged to “stand united with Senator Murkowski, Congressman Young, Governor Walker and the members of the Alaska State Legislature to vigilantly safeguard and defend our fellow Alaskans’ interests, and I pledge to do everything in my power to fight back against this assault on Alaska’s economic future.” Congressman Young was quoted saying, “Every time the President undermines the law of the land, he breaks his oath of office and weakens the nation we love.”
ANWR has been in limbo for the past 35 years when the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act expanded the Arctic refuge from 9 million acres to 19 million acres. The 1980 law requires congressional action to open the land to development or close it off, permanently.
It is clear that Alaska’s leaders will work to block this plan and work to protect Alaska’s economy. Industry groups are also rallying behind the delegation and expressing their concerns with closing off more of ANWR to exploration and development. Alaska Oil & Gas Association (AOGA) President and CEO, Kara Moriarty said, “It is offensive to put the remaining 8 percent of ANWR off limits when more than 90 percent is already permanently protected.” She continued by saying, “No one is better equipped to drill safely in Alaska’s Arctic better than Alaskans. We have proved over the course of decades that Arctic oil can be produced safely and responsibly for the benefit of all Alaskans.”
The proposed action takes away Alaska’s right to set its own course and determine the best way to develop Alaska’s resources. Alaska’s leaders agree that even though the act is being labeled as protection, it is really an assault on Alaska’s sovereignty. Alaskans must stand together and not allow Washington to set policy that limits our ability to build a strong economy.
To read the full press release from Governor Walker visit, http://gov.alaska.gov/Walker/press-room/full-press-release.html?pr=7063
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