July 25, 2008

Begich Praises Democrats for Accelerating Oil and Gas Development in Alaska

U.S. Senate candidate Mark Begich applauded efforts by Senate Democrats to increase domestic oil and gas supplies by speeding up drilling in Alaska. Begich is in Washington , D.C. this week meeting with Senate leaders and staff. One of the key issues being discussed is how to bring more oil and gas leases into production in Alaska, especially in the National Petroleum Reserve - Alaska (NPRA).

Today, Senate Energy Committee chair Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), introduced an amendment to the anti-oil speculation bill currently being debated on the Senate floor. The bill creates several incentives and sets new timelines to encourage oil and gas companies to develop federal oil and gas leases more quickly, especially in the NPRA.

"This amendment recognizes that we need to increase domestic oil and gas development in Alaska," stated Mark Begich, "The recent NPRA agreement opens the door to quick production in Alaska, creating new jobs and revenues for the state. I am pleased Senator Bingaman recognizes the strong role Alaska can play in increasing production in areas that are mostly likely to yield new supplies soon. This is a good start on a comprehensive energy plan that gives the U.S. more control over its energy future for the next 20 to 30 years."

The bill also calls on the Department of the Interior to conduct at least one lease sale in NPRA per year and explore and provide a timeline for leases sales in areas offshore Alaska.

Begich also praised the Democratic amendment for recognizing the importance of the Alaska natural gasline. Earlier this summer, Begich called on both Presidential candidates to include the gasline in their energy plans. Begich did call on the Senate to give Alaska equal treatment under a special direct revenue-sharing program for offshore oil and gas leases. A special provision passed in 2006 gives Gulf of Mexico states 37.5 percent of the revenues from offshore leases. Senator Stevens failed to get Alaska included in this provision.

Begich has released a detailed energy plan which includes more oil and gas exploration in Alaska , including in ANWR, as well as use of renewable energy sources, efficiency and conservation efforts.

From a Mark Begich press release