The Alaska State Senate unanimously passed Senate Joint Resolutions 24 and 25.
SJR 24 calls for the Biden Administration and U.S. Congress to increase clean oil and gas production and renewable options in Alaska and other energy-producing states to offset the loss of imported Russian oil and to strengthen the economy and security of the nation.
Senator Josh Revak of Anchorage:
“Basically, the United States, we imported 220 million barrels from Russia last year equaling just over $20 billion that we’ve paid them for it. That’s more than we produced here in Alaska. I think that’s very, very concerning. It should be concerning to everybody. We have great potential here in Alaska. We have great potential from Pikka to Willow and the NPR-A to ANWR to all kinds of different developments. Some of them have been shut down. I think Alaska oil and gas can help us fill the void by eliminating dependence and helping to eliminate dependence on foreign oil.”
SJR 25 by the Senate Rules Committee expresses solidarity with the people of Ukraine, urging Congress and President Biden to consider further sanctions and actions, and demanding that the Russian Federation stop all the hostilities against Ukraine.
Senator Gary Stevens of Kodiak:
“These are totally defense moves. We should hope not to engage Russia militarily. We don’t want to do that, but their flagrant violation of international law demands a firm response from the international community. I’m deeply saddened this morning when I was watching the news for a few minutes to see the video of Russian missiles and artillery apparently targeting a children’s hospital and a maternity ward. It’s unconscionable the loss of human life, women and children and deserves the strongest, sternest condemnation.”
Senate President Peter Micciche said in a press release:
“I am proud of the Alaska Senate for unanimously standing up for what reflects our most important human rights values as Alaskans. We stand with the people of Ukraine and their democratically elected government against President Putin’s unprovoked aggression against the innocent of their neighboring country. We also stand together demanding U.S. energy policies that increase production of all kinds within the boundaries of our country for domestic security and in support of environmental, social and governance performance that remains best-in-class globally. We do it best here in Alaska, and hypocritically supporting dirty oil produced elsewhere is simply significantly moving environmental performance and social responsibility in a backward direction.”
Both bills have been transmitted to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Transcribed audio courtesy of KTOO 360TV.