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Two pieces of Alaskan energy legislation introduced by Congressman Don Young were included today within a larger House energy bill, H.R. 1965 the Federal Lands Jobs and Energy Security Act of 2013.  The two bills would help promote energy development for Alaska Native Corporations and Indian tribes as well as expedite exploration and production in the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A). The combined energy package focusing on domestic onshore energy production and leasing passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 228 - 192.

The first bill, the Native American Energy Act, promotes energy development by Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations by streamlining the permitting process, deterring frivolous lawsuits, and reducing heavy handed federal regulations that continue to obstruct energy exploration, development, and production on tribal lands, where more than ten percent of our nation’s energy is estimated to be contained.

Click here to view Congressman Young speaking on behalf of the “Native American Energy Act” on the House Floor

Congressman Young emphasized outdated federal policies that continue to prevent tribes the ability to develop areas rich in untapped energy resources, citing the 56 million acres of lands held in trust by the federal government for the benefit of Indians and the 44 million acres owned in fee by Alaska Native Corporations.

“While many Indian tribes and Alaska Native Corporations have made great strides in building businesses and strengthening their economies, tribal communities remain at the bottom of nearly every economic and social indicator,” said Rep. Young in an impassioned speech on the House floor yesterday. “The sad fact is that in 21st century America, severe poverty wears a Native face. Instead of helping tribes make positive strides in energy development, the Obama Administration is erecting new hurdles.”

The second bill, the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act would remove governmental roadblocks to ensure that Alaska’s oil and gas resources in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A) are responsibly developed by requiring annual lease sales, firm timelines for infrastructure permits, and requiring a brand new integrated activity plan from the Bureau of Land Management. 

“I’m pleased to see that lands which were designated for responsible resource development, such as the National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska, will finally be recognized as such,” said Rep. Young. “This is a victory for not only Alaska, but for the entire United States as we work towards energy independence and continue to remove overbearing Administration policies that damage our economic recovery and continue down this path of unreasonable resource development on Alaska’s fertile lands.”

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