During a convention of U.S. governors in D.C. this week, President Barack Obama took a question from AK Gov. Bill Walker who addressed how Alaska needs access to 1% of our national parks to fill up the TransAlaska pipeline.
Governor Walker: “A lot of oil up there.”
President Obama: “We have encouraged exploration in some areas, but some areas are just real sensitive. One of the ironies when we were up in Alaska, I’d have some people say in the same breath ‘Protect this beauty and scenic areas and make sure nobody’s polluting it’ and then, ‘Oh and by the way, let’s get going on some oil drilling.’ Our goal has been to try to balance those equities and to make sure that economic development is taking place in Alaska, that folks are being well-served but that we’re also preserving the very thing that makes that place so unique and people care about it so deeply.”
The proposed amendment to House Resolution 2406, submitted by Democratic California Congressman Jared Huffman, would further restrict development within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s 1002 area.That area is recognized for prime potential oil and gas reserves.
The Joint Leadership of the Alaska State Legislature responded to Huffman’s proposed amendment Wednesday, objecting to the restriction which would further limit Alaskans’ access to their own land.
State Senate Majority Leader John Coghill (R-North Pole) stated in the release, “It’s unfortunate that some from other states are trying to erode the carefully crafted compromises in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act.”
Coghill added that ANILCA already doubled the size of the country’s national park and refuge systems and designated wilderness areas. He stressed that the California Representatives proposed action would further cripple Alaska’s ability to produce an economy.