Democrats Welcome Agreement on New NPR-A Oil Development – Agreement between federal agencies and ConocoPhillips means more exploration, jobs

Representative Berta Gardner • Representative Bob Miller • Representative Les Gara • Representative Pete Petersen

Today, Alaska House Democrats welcomed news that federal agencies have reached an agreement in principle with ConocoPhillips that could allow the company to go forward with its plans for a major new development in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A). ConocoPhillips first applied for its permit to expand the Alpine field into the NPR-A over a year ago.

Army Corps Indicates It May Allow Conoco Expansion into NPR-A

House Democrats welcome the signs of progress and new exploration

Today, Alaska House Democrats released a letter from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers that indicates the agency may be prepared to approve ConocoPhillips Alaska’s plans to expand the Alpine unit into the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A).

“We know there is more work to be done, but we take this as a very positive indication that this important development for Alaska could be moving forward soon,” said Rep. Bob Miller (D-Fairbanks).

[Gara, Miller] Democratic Legislators Welcome Federal Support for NPR-A Development

Today, Democratic Representatives Les Gara (Anchorage) and Bob Miller (Fairbanks) released the following statements welcoming comments by the U.S. Department of the Interior in support of new leases in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A) and of allowing ConocoPhillips to move forward with its plans to build a bridge across the Colville River to access the area.

“I’m encouraged to have a federal agency supporting our efforts to push development in NPR-A, and I hope to see Conoco’s bridge move forward soon,” said Rep. Gara. “We need the oil development and Conoco has said they’re ready to go.”

Feds Respond To Democrats’ Concerns: Working To Move NPR-A Oil Development Forward

(JUNEAU) – On February 28, fourteen Democrats wrote the Secretary of the Interior expressing concerns about the rejection of ConocoPhillips’s oil development plan in NPR-A. “Development in NPR-A is crucial to our attempts to stem the decline of North Slope oil production, and the Army Corps decision denying the bridge permit was wrong,” said Rep. Les Gara (D-Anch).

Legislature Requests TSA Hearings in Alaska

Air travel, airport procedures of upmost importance to Alaskans

JUNEAU – Today, fifty-nine of sixty members of the Alaska Legislature sent a letter to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs requesting hearings be held in Alaska on the often invasive procedures used by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA).

“Alaskans depend on air travel more than most other Americans,” said Rep. Max Gruenberg (D-Anchorage) who drafted the letter and gathered signatures from his colleagues in the State House. “The committee needs to hear from Alaskans about our unique concerns.”

Rep. Bob Miller’s Newsletter: St. Baldrick’s; Education; PFD; Choose Respect; Redistricting;

The recent St. Baldrick’s event was a huge success. Our team raised over $30,000 to help fund research for kids experiencing the terrible effects of cancer. I was very happy to be part of the Alaska Legislature team and your donations helped us raise more money than several other teams throughout Alaska. This healthy competition raised thousands for a great cause, although I am still getting used to being bald.

Rep. Bob Millers Newsletter: Video Update, Another Perspective on ACES, Energy Council

Thank you to everyone from Fairbanks that called in to give testimony on the operating budget this Wednesday. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the many issues that will arise in the last 45 days of session. My number is 907-465-4976.

Alaska Democrats Push Federal Bureaucrats to Allow NPR-A Oil Development

JUNEAU – Today, fourteen Democratic members of the Alaska Legislature called on the Obama Administration to resolve permit issues that are delaying ConocoPhillips’ efforts to develop a new oil field in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A). Last year, the Army Corps of Engineers rejected Conoco’s permit application to build a bridge across the Coleville River that the company needs to access the new field just west of its Alpine oil field, the third largest in Alaska.

Rep. Bob Miller’s Newsletter: Session Video Update, Energy, Subcommittees, HJR8: Frankenfish

Thank you to everyone that came out for our District get together. It is good to see so many people involved with their state government. I cannot stress enough the importance of activism, those that give input and are active truly do set the direction of this state government. My number is to the right or respond to this email with even a short message.

“Say No To Frankenfish” Legislation on the Move

Today, the House Fisheries Committee moved a resolution urging the federal government not to approve the sale of genetically modified salmon, often referred to in Alaska as “Frankenfish.” Sponsors of the legislation ( HJR 8 ) were pleased the committee saw it fit to allow the resolution to continue on the path to final passage. Afterward, they reiterated the importance of maintaining the purity of Alaska’s wild fish stocks.