The Alaska Senate passed HJR 12, urging the federal government to remove its temporary hold on development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
HJR 12 reads that it intends to urge the United States Department of the Interior and Bureau of Land Management to honor the recent lease sales and to proceed with permitting in ANWR. It also wants President Joe Biden to defend the 2020 Record of Decision approving the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program in ANWR and oppose designating the refuge as a national monument. Additionally, the resolution will urge the Alaska Congressional Delegation to work to repeal sec. 20001 (b) (5) of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to honor the Alaska Statehood Act, citing the state’s share of bonuses, royalties and rentals from exploration and development in the coastal plain.
HJR 12 states that sec. 20001 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 would adversely affect oil and gas development in the refuge. Sen. Josh Revak on the Senate Floor Monday:
The joint resolution passes on a vote of 13 yeas and 2 nays with 5 excused.
