April 25, 2017

Senator Cathy Giessel
Alaska State Capitol

Via email

Re: SJR 5, Urge Trump Administration to reverse federal restrictions that adversely affect the ability to access and develop hydrocarbons in the Alaska Outer Continental Shelf, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

Dear Senator Giessel:

The Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc. (RDC) is writing to support SJR 5, which urges the Trump administration to reverse excessive federal restrictions that adversely affect the ability to access and develop oil and gas resources in the Arctic, including the Chukchi and Beaufort seas, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

RDC is a statewide business association comprised of individuals and companies from Alaska’s oil and gas, mining, forest products, tourism and fisheries industries. RDC’s membership includes Alaska Native Corporations, local communities, organized labor, and industry support firms. RDC’s purpose is to encourage a strong, diversified private sector in Alaska and expand the state’s economic base through the responsible development of our natural resources.

SJR 5 sends a clear message to the Trump administration and policymakers in Washington D.C. that Alaskans strongly support the removal of roadblocks to energy development in the Arctic. Development of energy-rich basins in this region has the potential to refill the Trans Alaska Pipeline System, generate hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue to the federal and state government, create tens of thousands of new jobs, and put Alaska on a solid economic footing for generations. Moreover, development of Arctic energy deposits would reduce our nation’s dependency on foreign oil and help balance the trade deficit.

SJR 5 would also urge Congress to provide a means for sharing 37.5 percent of federal revenue generated from the development of Outer Continental Shelf energy deposits with the State of Alaska. RDC has been a strong advocate for federal revenue sharing to help support community infrastructure and other needs related to development.

RDC urges the Senate Resources Committee to pass SJR 5 to demonstrate the Alaska Legislature’s support for the responsible development of Arctic energy resources, which is clearly in the best interests of America and its 49th state.

Sincerely,

Resource Development Council for Alaska, Inc.