Bill to Further Streamline Permitting Process

Press Release

Governor Sean Parnell today submitted legislation to further streamline the state's permitting process. The bill will reduce the time required to get oil into production and eliminate repetitive approval processes.

To streamline the state's permitting process, this bill permits the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to comprehensively evaluate oil and gas exploration and development in a geographical area, and define the criteria by which specific projects are evaluated and approved. Approvals made under the provisions of this bill are valid for up to ten years as specified by DNR's director of the Division of Lands.

"Creating economic opportunity in Alaska requires a clear, predictable, and timely permitting process," Governor Parnell said. "This legislation will streamline that process by improving efficiency within DNR while encouraging responsible resource development."

Under current procedures, DNR grants lease exploration and development approval in conjunction with individual plans of operation for a lease or project. As such, a separate process is required for each approval, often resulting in repetitive approvals within the same geographical area.

A copy of the bill and transmittal letters is available at:
http://gov.alaska.gov/parnell_media/resources_files/permitting021913.pdf

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