Alaska Delegation Welcomes New Oil and Gas Lease Sales Within NPR-A

Statement

The Alaska Congressional delegation today applauded the Department of Interior's Bureau of Land Management announcement to hold oil and gas lease sales on 900 tracts within portions of the National Petroleum Reserve -- Alaska (NPR-A).

"I thank the administration for recognizing that Alaska has a leading role to play in America's energy dominance and welcome its desire to increase access to the resources within our state's 23-million acre National Petroleum Reserve," said Senator Lisa Murkowski, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Energy & Natural Resources. "Responsible development in the NPR-A will strengthen our economy, begin to refill our Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, and generate new wealth to create prosperity and reduce our deficits. Those are substantial benefits--and this lease sale is a key step to gaining them."

"I welcome the BLM's announcement today. Exploration and development of the NPR-A offers a promising opportunity to fill TAPS, boost Alaska's economy, and protect America's energy security," said Senator Dan Sullivan. "After years of cutting of access to development, jobs and growth, the Department of Interior is now working with Alaska to put people back to work and ensure American energy dominance."

"I thank the President and Secretary Zinke for their work and commitment towards American energy dominance, an effort that is only made possible by Alaska's vast energy resources," said Congressman Don Young. "This decision is a testament to our work to spearhead new development and fight back against the status quo that has underserved Alaskan communities and interests for years. The NPR-A was always intended for development, not to be locked away in perpetuity like the previous administration attempted. This announcement reaffirms Congress' original intent of the NPR-A and begins moving us back in the right direction. I look forward to working with Secretary Zinke and the Department of Interior on strengthening responsible oil and gas development not only in the NPR-A, but across Alaska's North Slope."

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