Begich Responds to News of Proposed Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing Program

Press Release

U.S. Senator Mark Begich today responded to news that Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Acting Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Walter Cruickshank have launched the first step in a multi-year planning process to develop the next schedule of offshore oil and gas leases.

"Alaska oil and gas companies will welcome the opportunity to bid on oil and gas rich leases in Alaska's Chukchi and Beaufort seas and Cook Inlet in coming years. The previous five-year leasing plan was good for Alaska's economy and brought record levels of investment to our community. I will continue to press federal agencies to ensure they process the necessary permits on a timely basis so our oil and gas industry can continue to grow. Alaskans know how to develop our resources responsibly and safely in some of the most challenging conditions on earth, and I know the oil and gas industry is anxious to get to work in Alaska's Arctic waters.

"The potential for Alaska and our nation is enormous. Alaska economist Scott Goldsmith has projected that full development of Chukchi and Beaufort oil and gas leases over 50 years would generate up to 54,000 jobs across the country, $100 billion in local, state and federal revenue, and $150 billion in payroll salaries and wages."

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