Note from Rep. Gara: Hurdle Cleared: Oil Development in National Petroleum Reserve Moving Forward
December 6, 2011
Who knows what impact public comment ever has? You hope it matters, so you comment. That’s why this spring I and others wrote an array of federal officials to say that ConocoPhillips’ proposed development in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A) was in Alaska’s and the nation’s interests. When the US Army Corps of Engineers effectively blocked oil development there by denying a needed bridge permit, I was concerned. I spoke to my colleagues about writing a letter explaining that production was falling on the North Slope, and access to this area, reserved for oil development, was crucial to our efforts to stem and hopefully reverse the decline in North Slope oil production.
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Democrats Welcome Agreement on New NPR-A Oil Development – Agreement between federal agencies and ConocoPhillips means more exploration, jobs
December 5, 2011
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.
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Gara Calls For Proof that Chuitna River’s Salmon Can Be Fully Restored; No Response Yet
November 18, 2011
“Destroying a wild salmon stream to sell coal to China is about the worst idea in Alaska’s proud history of salmon protection. We’ve always promoted responsible mines. But this one is irresponsible,” said Representative Les Gara, of state plans allowing dredging of eleven miles of the Chuitna River’s tributaries to keep moving forward.
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Army Corps Indicates It May Allow Conoco Expansion into NPR-A
November 16, 2011
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).
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Army Corps NPR-A Response November 1st, 2011
November 16, 2011
The Alaska District believed it had all of the necessary documentation by the middle of September 2011, to revise the Record Of Decision (ROD) and prepare an initial permit decision. However, after recent meetings between Conoco Phillips Alaska, Incorporated (CPAI) and other agencies, CPAI informed the Alaska District that it would submit project design changes. These changes were received on October 19, 2011, and must be assessed as part of the final ROD decision. I have asked my staff to continue to monitor the progress of this action and report to me.
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