Offshore Drilling Moratorium
Alaska U.S. Senate Candidate Joe Miller Opposes Obama Administration’s Offshore Drilling Moratorium. Believes Lisa Murkowski’s Views on Moratorium Out of Touch with Alaskans
The Obama Administration’s decision to put a six-month moratorium on new offshore drilling is wrong for the nation, and wrong for Alaska. It is a decision based on political expediency, not sound policy with the long-term energy needs of the country in view. The announcement caused the market to respond with a three-dollar-a-barrel spike in the price of oil. When coupled with continued Federal obstruction of development in ANWR and decreasing production from the North Slope, the signs are foreboding. For Alaskans it can only mean higher energy prices, fewer jobs, and less State revenue.
“This decision will cost Alaskans jobs and is yet another example of federal government overreach into the lives and livelihoods of the people of our State,” U.S. Senate candidate Joe Miller said. He added, “The moratorium will mean that several projects scheduled for this summer will have to wait an entire year to get underway.” Both Democratic Senator Mark Begich and Republican Don Young share Miller’s belief that this is yet another unnecessary delay, and a knee-jerk political reaction not based on the facts.
On the other hand, Senator Lisa Murkowski offered a qualified endorsement of the moratorium. “If the delay is for a season to ensure we have the highest levels of protection in place, that’s one thing,” said Murkowski. “But if it means that existing permits are allowed to lapse – effectively killing Shell’s participation in Alaska – that’s not acceptable to me or Alaska.”
The truth is that there are thousands of offshore oil wells operating safely, and in an environmentally conscious way. Miller, who served for three years as a Commissioner on the Alaska Board of Marine Pilots (the commission that oversees pilotage service for the protection of shipping, the safety of human life and property, and the protection of the marine environment), notes that the drilling projects that were slated to begin this summer off the North Slope were to take place on the Outer Continental Shelf at depths of approximately 200 to 400 feet. Drilling at these depths is much safer, time-tested, and less susceptible to spills than the deep water drilling currently taking place at depths of more than 5,000 feet in the Gulf of Mexico. While the recent deep water drilling accident in the Gulf is tragic both in terms of those who lost their lives and its environmental impact, the proper response of government is not to exacerbate our nation’s energy and economic challenges still further by shutting down all new offshore drilling operations.
Murkowski’s support of the Obama Administration’s recent policy declaration is yet another example of how far out of touch she is with Alaska.
