Murkowski, Sullivan introduce bill to allow energy development in 1002 Area of arctic coastal plain
Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) recently introduced a bill that would allow
limited energy production in a section of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
The Oil and Gas Development Act would allow limited oil and gas development on an area covering 2,000 surface acres within the 1.5 million-acre 1002 Area, which is only a fraction of the 19 million acre wildlife refuge.
“For nearly 40 years, Alaskans have proven that we can responsibly develop our natural resources while protecting the environment,” Murkowski said. “Alaskans overwhelmingly support responsible development in the non-wilderness portion of ANWR and there is no valid reason why we should not be allowed to proceed. Allowing development would create new jobs, reduce our deficits, and protect our national
security and competitiveness for a generation.”
Though the U.S. Geological Survey estimates that this area could feasibly produce 10.4 billion barrels of oil and 8.6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, the bill has faced criticism from conservationists.
“It’s not the long term solution that Alaska really needs to have that fiscal solvency that we’re going for,” Alli Harvey, Alaska campaign representative for Sierra Club, said. “It’s this wild untouched place that really speaks to our values of clean air, clean water and this intact landscape that’s so rare to come upon in our day-to-day lives that we want to keep it for future generations.”
If production were approved, it would likely take about 10 years of development for the first oil from the 1002 Area to reach the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, which is less than 60 miles from the ANWR coastal plain.
