Make Your Voice Heard: Input Wanted On ANWR Energy Job Development

February 1, 2019

The Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management is requesting the public’s input on energy development in ANWR that will help further improve Alaska’s booming energy economy. Now that the shutdown is over, environmental groups who want to stop development in ANWR will likely use this as another opportunity to disrupt.

ANWR development is crucial for Alaska to move forward and gain more good-paying jobs. Congress and President Trump have approved these efforts, but extreme environmental groups are refusing to stand down.

Power The Future is calling on supporters of a stronger economy and more jobs to make your voices heard during public comment meetings that will take place across the state.

If you live in Alaska, you’ll have the opportunity to meet directly with BLM staff in various communities across the State. Here’s what you can expect to happen during these meetings:

• The public meeting will begin with an OPEN HOUSE, where information boards and subject-matter experts will be available to provide information and answer questions one-on-one.
• A PRESENTATION by BLM providing an overview of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement will follow the OPEN HOUSE.
• A PUBLIC COMMENT SESSION, which will be captured by a court reporter, will follow the presentation.

The schedule for the Alaska events is as follows:

• February 4 – Fairbanks – Carlson Center – 1-7PM open house, presentations at 2PM and 5PM
• February 5 – Kaktovik – Harold Kaveolook School (includes ANILCA 810 hearing – 6-10PM)
• February 6 – Utqiagvik – Inupiat Heritage Center – 5-9PM
• February 7 – Fort Yukon – Tribal Hall – 1-3PM
• February 9 – Arctic Village – Community Hall – 10AM-2PM
• February 10 – Venetie – Community Hall – 10AM-2PM
• February 11 – Anchorage – Dena’ina Center – 1-7PM open house, presentations at 2PM and 5PM

There will also be a public comment period and open house in Washington, D.C. on February 13 at the National Housing Center from 2-8PM, with presentations at 3PM and 6PM.

This public comment period is going to be the first public battle since Congress approved and President Trump signed legislation to open parts of ANWR to development over a year ago. The environmental extremist movement – both in Alaska and across the United States – promised a prolonged, litigious battle over what they see as a pristine area worth protecting from any development. Expect coordinated efforts to flood local meetings with as many opponents of development, with protests in Fairbanks and Anchorage at a minimum. The extremist movement is aiming to push BLM to stop development efforts altogether. Since they know that won’t happen, they’re asking supporters to push BLM to move forward under alternative “D2” of the EIS. Most people advocating for responsible development prefer alternative “B” of the EIS.

Power The Future asks all of its supporters in Alaska and the D.C. area to attend a meeting and let their voice be heard for responsible development in the 1002 area of the Refuge by preferring alternative “B”. If you can’t make a meeting, but want to voice your opinion, you can do so by submitting comments to:

Bureau of Land Management
Attn: Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program EIS
222 W 7 th Ave, Stop #13
Anchorage AK 99513

Additional information on the draft EIS process to-date can be found here.