(SitNews) Washington, D.C. – The federal government has failed to position the U.S. to take advantage of major economic opportunities in the Arctic, and other nations may be more competitive in attracting interest, said Lt. Governor Mead Treadwell at the release of a new report today by the Center for Strategic & International Studies.

“When it comes to the economy of the Arctic, the State of Alaska and the federal government need to pull in the same direction,” Lt. Gov. Treadwell said. “Back home, we’re rowing as hard as we can, but Washington, D.C. is throwing out sea anchors.”

The release of the report, “Arctic Economics in the 21st Century: the benefits and costs of cold,” drew a crowd of around a hundred government officials and industry representatives.

“That a Washington think tank is actually addressing the issue of economics in the Arctic is a major victory,” Treadwell said. “Thank you.”

Treadwell remarked that the federal government has failed – at OCS, at NPR-A, and at other projects in the Arctic.

“Natural resource development is what drives the economy in the Arctic. As Wally Hickel used to say, there is no wealth without production. Without production, there is no wealth to reinvest in our schools, business, and economies. Without production, there is no wealth to create new jobs and sustain old ones.”

The lieutenant governor discussed steps the State of Alaska is taking to make sure Alaska and the U.S. realize the economic benefits of the Arctic. He discussed work on shipping safety, Governor Parnell’s More Alaska Production Act and goal for a million barrels a day of oil in the Trans Alaska Pipeline, and the governor’s efforts to begin new seismic exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

“A lot of people don’t know about a requirement in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act that requires the Interior Secretary to take action on an exploration plan for ANWR. In fact, even Secretary Jewel is in the dark:  she said it’s against the law. Well, that’s not true – it’s a requirement of the law.”

Earlier this month, the State submitted a plan for seismic exploration activities in the 1002 Area of ANWR, with support from North Slope Borough Mayor Charlotte Brower and Arctic Slope Regional Corporation President and Chief Executive Officer Rex Rock. Last week, the U.S. House moved through committee legislation that would require the federal government to provide $50 million toward studies of oil and gas potential on federal lands.

Edited by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

On the Web:

Download the Report: Arctic Economics in the 21st Century: the benefits and costs of cold
https://csis.org/files/publication/130710_Conley_ArcticEconomics_WEB.pdf

Source of News: 

Office of Lt. Gov. Mead Treadwell
www.ltgov.state.ak.us

 

SitNews ©2013
Stories In The News
Ketchikan, Alaska

Articles & photographs that appear in SitNews may be protected by copyright and may not be reprinted without written permission from and payment of any required fees to the proper sources.