Governor Bill Walker says Shell’s withdrawal from Arctic exploration prompted a trip to Washington D.C. to request more access to Alaska’s natural resources from federal officials.
Lt. Governor Byron Mallott accompanied Walker, they met with President Barack Obama’s senior adviser, Brian Deese, and U.S. Department of Interior Secretary Sally Jewell about increasing Alaska’s oil production.
Governor Walker says onshore drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would benefit Alaska more than offshore Arctic drilling.
Gov. Walker: “In the 10-02 area, Alaska would receive 90% of the revenue and 10% would go to the federal government. So my argument is I guess the same reason for offshore development, why can’t that be done onshore in a much safer environment and the footprint is very, very small to do that given the technological advances in oil exploration, through directional drilling, etc.”
He says both Jewell and President Obama have told him the proposal to open the protected plains will meet significant push-back.
The pair also met with U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx to request expediting the Alaska Railroad permit for transporting liquefied natural gas from Southcentral Alaska to Fairbanks.
While in the nation’s capital, the duo also addressed how to keep Alaska’s health insurers competitive with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell.
Governor Walker returned to Alaska today but Lt. Gov. Mallott remained in D.C..
He will be meeting with federal officials and Senator Lisa Murkowski’s staff to discuss the reauthorization of the Denali Commission and its role in coordinating federal and state responses to village relocation and overall rural Alaska needs.
*Photo courtesy of Governor Bill Walker’s office: The governor and Lt. Mallott meeting with U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.*