Oppose Restrictions On Oil/Gas Activities

The Alaskan Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) is a potentially important source of future energy supply. Recent estimates of the potential resources in the OCS place the undiscovered reserves at 27 billion barrels of oil and 132 trillion CF of natural gas. Add this to the estimated 35,000 jobs that OCS development could potentially create and the economic benefits are clear.

Recent actions and statements from the President of the United States and his Administration have caused uncertainty among producers and regulators regarding the future of OCS development in Alaska and the continental United States. Considering the unprecedented escalation of gasoline and hearing oil prices that were seen last year, as well as the current economic crisis America is facing today, now is not the time to restrict businesses that are creating jobs and generating revenue.

It is more important than ever that we work with the oil and gas industry and federal regulators to ensure that Alaska's pipeline continues to provide oil and gas to the nation and revenue to the state. To facilitate this, President Obama and his Administration need to avoid enacting regulations, rules or administrative actions that would hinder or ban OCS development.

CS HJR 28 (RES) urges Presendent Obama, key members of his Administration and members of Congress to not adopt any policy, rule, administrative action or legislation that would restrict energy exploration, development and production in federal or state waters around Alaska, the OCS within 200 miles of shore or elsewhere in the continental United States. CS HJR 28 (RES) further urges the President and Congress to encourage and promote continued exploration, development and production of domestic oil and gas resources.