Governor Sean Parnell’s (NGP Photo) State of the State speech last night properly challenged the Federal government for its improper attacks on Alaska’s economy.  "Today, however, the federal government’s actions often seem at war with Alaskan interests.  The federal government has misused the Endangered Species Act as a regulatory weapon to delay development of Alaska’s resources. Now, they have proposed setting aside an area larger than the state of California as critical habitat for polar bears. I strongly oppose such overreactive ESA listings and critical habitat designations. These are job killers and beyond the feds authority."

ADN by Mary Pemberton.  

Our opinion: Point Hope and environmental groups are foolishly challenging a Chukchi Sea outer continental shelf oil and gas exploration program in the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals this week.  

 
These activists are aligning themselves with the Obama Administration philosophy that Governor Sean Parnell properly criticized in his State of the State speech last night.  He said that, "…the federal government’s actions often seem at war with Alaskan interests," and how right he was!  But some coastal village leaders have adopted the legal strategy of some of the most aggressive opponents of Alaska’s economy.  Those rural leaders are misleading their people into opposing the very industry that sustains their culture.  Without oil and gas activity, how can the State afford to support rural schools, power cost equalization, or provide the various social service jobs in the villages?  
 
If coastal leaders who are marching with Outside environmental activists want to return their citizens to a pre-pipeline culture, that is within their power.  But if they do, they should not expect to continue receiving all of the blessings of an oil and gas supported civilization that enables them to sustain a subsistence lifestyle in relative comfort.  
 
The Legislature should take a long hard look at this situation.  Without the prospect of an OCS future, the economic outlook for the entire state is at risk.  The enlightened self interest of the Bush Caucus along with House and Senate Majority and Minority caucuses should cause these leaders to carefully consider their options when faced with the reality that our children’s generation may well be inheriting an economy which has been mortally wounded by a small band of well-intended northern coastal leaders possessed by extraordinarily poor judgment.   -dh

Jill Burke of the Alaska Dispatch analyzed this very issue yesterday:  "Last week, Alaska Dispatch ran a story about the North Slope Borough’s position that oil and gas exploration, and the money that comes with it, is a now an essential element of modern Inupiaq life. This position is in contrast to oil industry opponents, who feel industry threatens the land and sea with unacceptable risks to marine mammals and the environment — risks that threaten the traditional way of life Alaska’s indigenous arctic residents are fighting to preserve.  North Slope Borough Mayor Edward Itta (NGP Photo) felt our story, while accurate, failed to convey the complexities of his seemingly contradictory positions."