The Alaska Delegation, made up of Republican U.S. Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan and Democratic Rep. Mary Peltola sent a letter to the Interior Secretary urging the Bureau of Land Management to complete the permitting process for the Willow Project in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska by the end of the year, in time for the winter construction season.
The letter reads:
“The expeditious approval of this crucial project would greatly benefit Alaska, our nation, and the world, while demonstrating the Administration’s commitment to addressing inflation, high energy costs, the need for greater energy security, and environmental justice initiatives. After years of study and review, both the Administration and Alaskans can feel confident that the Project will abide by the strictest environmental considerations in the world, while being constructed and operated by a company with an impressive record of safe and responsible development on the North Slope.
“We believe the final SEIS should identify the preferred alternative; appropriately weight the purpose of energy production in the NPR-A; and recognize the public interest in supporting energy security and responsible resource development. The permitting process must be completed by the end of 2022 at very latest so the project’s proponent can make a final investment decision and hire Alaskans in time for the winter construction season. That decision will not be possible, and none of those jobs will be created, in the absence of a clean and timely Record of Decision (ROD).”
“The Biden Administration is showing signs that they want to support it,” according to Sen. Dan Sullivan in a speech on the senate floor in July. “That would make sense. The country needs energy. This would be done in the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska, set aside decades ago by congress for oil and gas development…we can start building it this winter. As a matter of fact, we tried building it last winter.”
“I can’t stress enough the need for the Department to move forward with final approval for the Willow Project,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski echoed similar sentiments this past July during an Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittee Hearing on the Interior Budget Request for FY23. “It is my very sincere hope that the Department will soon be able to issue permits so work can begin on this project during the upcoming winter season 2022/2023.”
In the letter, the Alaska congressional delegation noted that the project has been developed under the most stringent environmental standards in the world and is strongly supported by Alaska Native leaders, labor leaders, the State of Alaska, legislators from both parties, and President Joe Biden.
Click here to read the full letter.
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