Is The Great Giant, Alaska, Toppling To Obama’s Tethering Minions

Today, Consumers Petitioned Congress for a Balanced Energy Policy! (PDF here)

Comment: For Alaska’s economy and national security to be sustained, the Trans Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) must continue operating.  At its peak, it provided well over 2 million barrels of oil per day, or 20% of America’s domestic production.  America doesn’t use less oil now than it did 20 years ago, but Alaska provides less of it while foreign imports grow.  TAPS is now 2/3 empty and without the billions of barrels of oil locked up by the Federal government in ANWR, the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska and the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas, Alaska’s Pipeline-Lifeline will prematurely cease operating, perhaps within a half-dozen years.  The politicians in Washington can claim most of the credit for creating this suicidal economic energy policy.  Politicians in Juneau who have adopted the highest oil and gas taxes in America can also claim part of the blame.  But in 5-10 years when TAPS shuts down schools will close as fire stations and police cars are removed from service. Thousands of government workers will be terminated.  Roads will fall to disrepair.  Natives in small village will exit to urban supply points en masse; subsistence lifestyles will continue only for a few rich rural citizens.  Alaska will become a ward of the Federal government when, with the application of more intelligent policies Alaska could inject steam into America’s economic recovery, contribute millions of new jobs throughout America and strengthen our currency and defend our national security.  Better wake up, politicians.  Time is short.  The crisis is self-created, real and preventable.  -dh

Comment: Last year we joined with other Alaskans to caution the United States Fish and Wildlife Service not to improperly recommend increased access restrictions within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.  Please scroll down to see an email notice we received today that the subsequent ANWR Comprehensive Conservation Plan draft of 1,000 pages will be available soon…. -dh

Comment:  The White House Council on Environmental Quality wrote a ‘Dear Friend’ letter today opening yet another public comment period on the Feds’ action plans to restrict access to our oceans and even to areas inland that host streams and rivers flowing to the oceans.  Last year we joined with other Alaskans to point out the danger with this Obama effort to circumvent Congressional intent through the Presidential power to issue executive orders.  Please scroll down to read the email and click here for today’s Federal Register notice….  -dh

Comment:  Last year we commented numerous times on OCS issues.  We concluded in various editorials that the Obama Administration was mindfully applying the power of government to bring down the oil and gas, ocean and mining industries (and Alaska).  We called this strategy, ‘Death By A Thousand Cuts‘.  We believe the strategy is so obvious that it would not be surprising to find emails or memos within the Administration using this very term.  Another fitting metaphor is that of our economic giant brought to its knees, then to the ground by the combined strength of hundreds of subtly applied lanyards, skillfully thrown by scores of well trained government minions.  Click here to read of BOEMRE’s next scheduled hearing parade scheduled to march across America, to Anchorage and to a number of small Alaska Native villages.  Having then done the required public notice period, we would expect the Federal bureaucrats of BOEMRE to throw a bleached bone or two to responsible development, then restrict access to more federal acreage.  Nevertheless, we will appear and make comment just to assure that the record reflects the balanced views of Alaskans.   -dh.

Alaska Dispatch by Patti Epler.  But the streets weren’t the only slippery slopes. Big issues like oil taxes and the proposed natural gas pipeline – perennial issues — seemed poised to slide off the table as legislators looked toward the complexities involved in resolving problems in a short session….

Consumer Energy Alliance Petition Congress TODAY for Balanced Energy Policy….


 

1-24-11 EMAIL From US Fish and Wildlife Service
The CCP (Comprehensive Conservation Plan) is the document that guides long-term management of Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Draft CCP will be available late in March 2011. We estimate the complete draft will be approximately 1,000 pages, including maps, tables, and appendices. The Summary Report will be approximately 20 pages and will contain key elements of the full report, including: goals, objectives, new management guidelines, and management alternatives.

You will be able to read or download both the Draft CCP and the Summary Report from the Refuge’s CCP website: http://arctic.fws.gov/ccp.htm.  As someone who requested email notification, we assume you will take advantage of the CCP website for all CCP-related materials; we will not send anything to you via the mail.

However, if you are interested in receiving a CD containing the Draft CCP, or a printed version of either the Summary Report or the entire Draft CCP (a 2-volume set), please reply to this email by March 1st and provide the following information:

_______    Please mail me a printed copy of the Summary Report
_______    Please mail me a CD containing the Draft CCP
_______    Please mail me a printed version of the Draft CCP

I understand that if I am on your email or mailing list, that my name, email, and/or mailing address could be released to the public under provisions of the Freedom of Information Act.

First Name:
Last Name:
Mailing Address:
City:
State:
Postal Code:
Country:

If you are acting in an official capacity as the representative of an organization, include the following:

Organization:
Title:

Thank you for your interest in Arctic Refuge and the CCP planning process.

Sharon Seim
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service – Arctic NWR
101 12th Avenue, Room 236
Fairbanks, AK 99701
(907) 456-0501
ArcticRefugeCCP@fws.gov

 


Dear Friend Email From White House Council On Environmental Quality, Executive Office of the President:

 Dear Friend,

 
We thought you might be interested in today’s announcement that the National Ocean Council is seeking public input on the development of strategic action plans for the nine priority objectives described in the Final Recommendations of the Interagency Ocean Policy Task Force.  These nine objectives seek to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the ocean, our coasts, and the Great Lakes. 
 
On July 19, 2010, President Obama signed Executive Order 13547 establishing a National Policy for the Stewardship of the Ocean, our Coasts, and the Great Lakes.  That Executive Order adopts the Final Recommendations and directs Federal agencies to take the appropriate steps to implement them.
 
To submit your comments, please visit the National Ocean Council website: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/oceans/sap, and to learn more about the National Ocean Council, please visit: http://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/oceans.  For more information, please see the Federal Register Notice (attached).  
 
Best Regards,
Kenli Schaaf & Andy Lipsky
 
—————————–
Kenli Schaaf, Ph.D.
Deputy Associate Director for Policy Outreach
White House Council on Environmental Quality
 
Andy Lipsky
Ocean Policy Advisor
National Ocean Council