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Local Alaskan Witnesses Highlight Job Creation, Deficit Reduction, and Economic Growth from ANWR Energy Production

WASHINGTON, D.C., September 21, 2011 | Jill Strait, Spencer Pederson or Crystal Feldman (202-225-2761)
Today, during a Full Committee oversight hearing on “ANWR: Jobs, Energy and Deficit Reduction,” Members of the Committee will hear testimony from a number of local Alaskans who would be directly impacted by increased American energy production, job creation and economic growth with the opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Below are excerpts from their testimony as they describe the benefits of opening ANWR to local communities, tribes, businesses, Alaska and the nation.

Fenton Okomailak Rexford, Tribal Administrator for the Native Village of Katovik:

  • “We would not favor development of the Coastal Plain unless we were confident that development can occur without jeopardizing our way of life.”
  • “Responsible development of ANWR is a matter of self-determination for my people.”
  • “Responsible ANWR development means my people will continue to access to running water and flush toilets throughout the region...”
  • “Development of the North Slope enables our community to sustain a local school.”
  • “Development will continue to provide search and rescue, police and fire protection for our North Slope communities.”
  • “Development of the Coastal Plain of ANWR is a win-win situation for the American people, particularly for those of us who call this area home.”

Carey Hall, Carlile Transportation Systems, Ice Road Truck Driver:

  • “ANWR is crucial to keeping oil in our pipeline. Without ANWR we have the threat of our nation’s pipeline—The Trans Alaska Pipeline shutting down.”
  • “People care about their own backyard more than they care about their neighbors—that is why Alaskans support ANWR opening—it’s our backyard.”
  • “We know that ANWR will produce tens of thousands of long term jobs; we know that infrastructure will be built; we know that tanker ships will be needed, pipe will be manufactured, and services will be contracted.”
  • “ANWR is not a bandaid for our debt and economy; it is a long term sustainable solution.”
  • “The oil and gas industry represents the corner stone of our business. It is not only important to contractors and vendors such as a trucking company but to all our citizens in the State of Alaska and as a nation. It produces jobs, lots of jobs, we need jobs!”
  • “ANWR is about careful planning, environmental stewardship, and looking to the future. Alaskans know this will be done right and overwhelmingly support this cause.”

Tim Sharp, Alaska District Council of Laborers, representing approximately five thousands Alaskan Union members:

  • “...development would generate thousands of needed jobs, and the leverage and impact the foreign producers could have on us would lessen.”
  • “ANWR would be a great opportunity for the environmental community and the oil industry to work closely together and show what American technology and ingenuity could do.”
  • “I am addressing today the need for political action to offset our dwindling energy reserves in the next five to ten years but equally important the need for jobs today.”

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