Provision opening Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for development included in GOP tax reform bill

Members of Alaska’s congressional delegation applauded Wednesday a provision of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) that would open the non-wilderness 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to energy development.

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the chairwoman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, authored a provision of the bill establishing an oil and gas program in the 1002 Area. At least two lease sales will be held within the next 10 years under the provision.

“This is a watershed moment for Alaska and all of America,” Murkowski said. “We have fought to open the 1002 Area for a very long time, and now, our day has finally arrived. I thank all who kept this effort alive over the decades, especially Ted Stevens and Frank Murkowski, and all who supported this bill. Alaskans can now look forward to our best opportunity to refill the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, thousands of jobs that will pay better wages, and potentially $60 billion in royalties for our state alone. This is a major victory for Alaska that will help us fulfill the promises of our statehood and give us renewed hope for growth and prosperity.”

U.S. Rep. Don Young (R-AK) and U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) joined Murkowski in praising congressional passage of the bill.

“For decades, Alaskans have fought for the right and opportunity — against an unwilling federal government — to allow Alaska to develop the 1002 Area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge so that we can strengthen our communities and build a better life for our children,” Sullivan said. “But for decades, we’ve been denied that right. Today that has changed. I want to thank all of the hundreds — if not thousands of Alaskans — who have spent countless hours over the years to get this done.”

Congress set aside the 1002 Area, which consists of 1.57 million acres, for future development in 1980. Under H.R. 1, 2,000 federal acres would be open to surface development, bringing an estimated 10.4 billion barrels of oil to market.

“This is a historic moment for Alaskans and I am incredibly proud of the work this delegation has done over the years to open the 1002 Area of ANWR,” Young said. “Congress specifically set aside this land to be used for responsible resource development and it was always intended to unleash America’s potential energy production. Opening this area will create more jobs for Alaskans, generate future revenue for this country to pay down the deficit and keep energy affordable for American families and businesses. I am especially proud to see this measure pass today because I have fought to open the 1002 area for the past 40 years and today marks an important step in this process.”