ASRC is pleased with the recent passage of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which includes language to open the non-wilderness section of ANWR’s Coastal Plain to natural resource development. ASRC, the State of Alaska, Alaska’s Congressional Delegation and other supporters have been pushing to open the Alaska 1002 area for nearly 40 years.
“This is a very important milestone for ASRC as well as our region”, said Rex A. Rock Sr., ASRC president and CEO. “Unlocking the energy potential of a small portion of ANWR’s Coastal Plain means economic growth for Kaktovik, an economic revitalization for our North Slope communities as well as the rest of the state. A safe and robust oil and gas industry has allowed for dramatic improvements to the quality of life in our villages – from community schools, to road construction, to more dependable power.”
Crawford Patkotak, ASRC board chairman, added, “This has been a long battle, and we’d like to thank Senator Lisa Murkowski, Senator Dan Sullivan, Congressman Don Young and their amazing staff for the tremendous effort and diligence in finally getting this bill to the president’s desk. Like the majority of Alaskans, I look forward to seeing the energy potential of the 1002 Area realized.”
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the non-wilderness area of ANWR’s coastal plain is believed to hold a mean estimate of 10.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil. This area was specifically set aside by Congress as a study area because of its potential to hold significant amounts of recoverable oil and gas.