SENATE BILL REPORT
SJM 8015
BYSenators Bottiger and Johnson
Requesting the opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge Coastal Plain to oil and gas exploration.
Senate Committee on Energy & Utilities
Senate Hearing Date(s):March 6, 1987; February 3, 1988
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Benitz, Chairman; Madsen, Nelson, Owen, Stratton.
Senate Staff:Glenn Blackmon (786-7449)
February 4, 1988
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENERGY & UTILITIES, FEBRUARY 3, 1988
BACKGROUND:
The coastal plain region of the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge is a 1.55 million acre area about 75 miles east of Prudhoe Bay. In a draft report to Congress, the U.S. Interior Department has estimated that the area may contain as much recoverable oil and gas as Prudhoe Bay, the largest U.S. oil field. The draft report recommended that the federal government allow oil and gas exploration in the region.
The oil industry supports opening the area and believes it is one of the best oil prospects in North America. Environmental groups oppose opening the wildlife refuge to development and have challenged the Interior Department's estimates of the area's oil potential.
The Interior Department is scheduled to issue its final report and recommendation in mid-April. Congressional action is required for development of the wildlife refuge.
Rep. Morris Udall (D-Ariz.), chairman of the House Interior Committee, has introduced a bill to make the coastal plain a wilderness area and prohibit any oil exploration. Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska), the ranking minority member of House Interior, has introduced a bill to open the area to oil and gas exploration companies.
SUMMARY:
The Legislature asks that Congress open the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain to environmentally responsible oil and gas exploration, development, and production.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: none requested
Senate Committee - Testified: Everett Trout, Totem Ocean Trailer Express (for); Chuck Helget and Scott Ronzio, ARCO Alaska (for)