Next Step is the Biden Admin’s: Alaska House Passes Pro-ANWR Resolution

March 16, 2021

The Alaska State House has spoken.  Will the Biden administration turn a deaf ear?

Clearly drowning out the objections of three members who identify with (and are financially supported by) the “just transition” movement, the House passed HJR-12, legislation we highlighted last week, 35-3.

The resolution, sponsored by George Rauscher (R-Sutton), took clear aim at Biden’s day-one Executive Order that shut down development in the 1002 section of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The resolution:

• Urges the United States Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, to honor the recent lease sales and proceed with permitting in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge;
• Urges the President of the United States to defend the 2020 Record of Decision approving the Coastal Plain Oil and Gas Leasing Program in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge;
• Opposes designation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a National Monument; and
• Urges the Alaska delegation in Congress to uphold sec. 20001 of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which opened the 1002 section of ANWR to responsible development.

With Biden having run on an agenda of eco-extremism, including permanently shutting down oil and gas development in the 1002, the actions taken by the House may be all-for-naught.

Still, it is good to see action taken – with strong, bipartisan support – to protect and grow energy jobs in the Great Land.  We commend the 35 Representatives who voted “Yea”, and wonder just how far the “Nays” (Reps Sara Hannon, Geran Tarr and Liz Snyder – all endorsed and supported by the Alaska Center and other radical environmental organizations) will go to thwart Alaska’s economic future?