Alaskans Contribute to Debate over Oil and Gas Exploration

• News Home
• More from News of the North

Thursday, November 2nd, 2017 9:22am

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Messenger
• Share on Twitter
• Share on Whatsapp

(L-R) Senator Dan Sullivan, Congressman Don Young and Governor Bill Walker.

Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Governor Bill Walker and Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott today testified in the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources in support of oil and gas exploration and development in the 1002 section of the non-wilderness area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR)

The 1002 area makes up 8 percent of the 19 million-acre ANWR.  “Alaska’s economic future should not be a partisan issue,” said Governor Walker, the nation’s only independent governor. “Nine in 10 of Alaska’s legislators—on both sides of the aisle—support oil and gas exploration and development of the 1002. The trans-Alaska pipeline is three-quarters empty, and the state is suffering the largest fiscal crisis in our history."

"When Alaska became a state, we had a promise from the federal government in our statehood compact: we need to live off the resources in our land. Much like midwestern states harvest the resources that grow on the ground, like wheat and corn, Alaska must harvest the resources in our ground. As Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke has so aptly said: Alaska is key to the nation’s energy dominance. We must have access to our resources.”

Lt. Governor Mallott, a Tlingit clan leader, also testified in support of oil and gas exploration in the 1002. “We live in a petroleum era,” said Lt. Governor Mallott. “That is reality. Alaska is also ground-zero for climate change. The development of non-renewable resources and the development of response to combatting the effects of climate change are not mutually exclusive in our state. That’s why the climate change administrative order the governor signed just two days ago  is a plan of action tailored to uniquely to Alaska."

"The oil must come from somewhere; why not here, in the United States, where we control the environmental rules? Most importantly it’s in our national security interest to develop our own oil to build energy independence.”

 

More from News of the North

• Multiple deaths reported on vessel

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - On May 31, at about 2:23 p.m., a 34-year-old female reported to JPD that she found her friend, 51-year-old Curtis Edwin Anderson, deceased on the vessel Dusky Rock.

• Reward available for information about shooting of Steller sea lions in Cordova

  Cordova, Alaska (KINY) - NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information that leads to a civil penalty or criminal conviction in the May 2023 shooting of seven Steller sea lions.

• Juneau Dance Theatre shares information on summer programs

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Juneau Dance Theatre's annual Fine Arts Camp is back, Jun. 5-30. But that's not all they have planned for this summer.

• Prep Baseball: Service smokes Chugiak 14-0 in most lopsided state semifinal since 2014; Partch pitches South past Colony 5-1

  Sitka, Alaska (Alaska Sports Report) - It was a day to remember for the Niclai brothers in Sitka.

• Tragedy that left 5 dead or missing puts spotlight on safety in Alaska charter fishing industry

  Juneau, Alaska (AP) - Morgan Robidou posed next to the bright aluminum hull of his prized new vessel, a 30-foot (9-meter) fishing boat that he could use to take friends, family, or tourists out after salmon or halibut in the bountiful waters of southeast Alaska.

• As three seasons of bridge work loom, Denali managers and tourist industry adjust

  Anchorage, Alaska (Alaska Beacon) - New timeline to remove clay at perilous Pretty Rocks site pushes completion date for bridge and full park road access to 2026.

• Juneau Gold Rush Days will celebrate its 31st year

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Juneau Gold Rush Days participants came onto Capital Chat to promote the upcoming event.

• Murkowski reinforces need to support child care availability, affordability, and workforce

  Washington, D.C. (KINY) - U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski took part in a Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee hearing to discuss the need to support working families and child care workers.

• Coast Guard aircrew medevacs cruise ship passenger near Sitka, Alaska

  Kodiak, Alaska (KINY) - A Coast Guard aircrew medevaced a cruise ship passenger in Cape Ommaney, Alaska, Wednesday evening.

• Alaska’s rate of drownings, highest in nation, changed little in 6 years, state report says

  Juneau, Alaska (Alaska Beacon) - Alaska’s extreme conditions, including cold waters, heighten drowning risks. Human errors added to those conditions can produce tragedies.

• Apply for Senior Citizen Hardship Sales Tax Rebate by June 30

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - The deadline to apply for the 2023 Senior Citizen Hardship Sales Tax Rebate is right around the corner. Applications and all required supporting documentation must be received or postmarked by Jun. 30.

• Alaska Fashion Week announces 2023 ticket sales and designer roster

  Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Alaska Fashion Week has announced the designer roster for its 2023 event, featuring a diverse array of talented designers from around the state and nation.