Murkowski: Obama reversal on OCS oil will hurt Alaskans

U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released a statement on Wednesday in response to the Department of Interior’s 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing proposed program.

“The administration’s decision to maintain a limited number of lease sales in the Alaskan offshore and recognition of the importance of consultation with Alaskans is welcome news,” Murkowski said. “However, the administration’s decision to cancel a sale in the Atlantic offshore – the second time it has made such a reversal – undermines the energy security of our country and is an ominous warning to Alaskans. As easily as the Atlantic was taken off the table, the proposed sales in the Cook Inlet, Beaufort Sea, and the Chukchi Sea could suffer the same fate in further reviews. Simply put, we kept the bare minimum that we asked for last year – just three sales and additional consultations with Alaskans before any additional restrictions are considered. Now all Alaskans must rally to remain vigilant and defend this small victory. Further, we must continue our work to create a predictable regulatory and commercial environment as well as revenue sharing for the state and local interests.”

Murkowski is the chairwoman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. In 2015, she sent a letter to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management imploring that the proposed program include a minimum of three lease sales with no additional withdrawals be made without the support of Alaskans.