(JUNEAU) – Today, the Alaska House of Representatives took a bold step in supporting oil and gas development in the National Petroleum Reserve on the North Slope of Alaska by unanimously passing House Joint Resolution 6. This resolution is a crucial move toward unlocking the potential of the Willow project. Willow could produce as much as 600,000,000 barrels of oil and generate thousands of new jobs with millions of dollars in revenue for the state of Alaska.
The Willow project is supported by Alaskan Native Leaders, local government, and communities across the North Slope. This project offers more than just economic benefits. It has the potential to provide family-supporting jobs and wages, improve educational opportunities, provide needed infrastructure, and expand services to the region. Additionally, royalties from the project will support the NPRA Grant mitigation fund, which works to support communities closest to oil and gas development.
Sponsor of the Resolution Rep. Josiah Patkotak stated: “I thank my colleagues for voting for HJR 6 and for speaking as one in support of the Willow project. “The people of the North Slope, long-standing stewards of the NPRA lands, understand better than anyone the need for this incredible economic opportunity. As their representative, it is critical for me to echo the advocacy of my people when it comes to sustaining our way of life.”
“Federal approval of the Willow project would decrease the dependency on foreign oil and strengthen our National Defense by filling our national oil reserves.” Stated Rep. George Rauscher. “Approval of this project needs to happen now. The benefits to the state of Alaska and the country are too great to let this opportunity pass.”
House Speaker Cathy Tilton stated: “The Willow Project and others like it are critical to the economic stability of Alaska. These projects allow us to balance budgets and provide for a long-term fiscal plan. They also bring prosperity in the form of good-paying jobs and local economic stimulus. We urge the Biden Administration to heed our Resolution to approve the Willow Project doing what is in the best interest of Alaska and the nation.
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For questions, please contact Trey Watson at [email protected] or (907) 465-6789