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Critics Say Feds Not Living Up to Statehood Act"We're frustrated with state and federal action which, combined, could lead us back to a pre-pipeline population."Related Content
On July 7, 1958, the U.S. Congress passed the Alaska Statehood Act, setting the terms under which the state would enter the union about six months later. But critics of federal regulatory actions said on that anniversary Thursday that Washington, D.C., essentially is reneging on the deal. With slow going on oil drilling plans for the Outer Continental Shelf, new protections for polar bears, beluga whales and other species, and a struggle on development even within the National Petroleum Reserve, Alaskans concerned about declining oil production say that the federal government has broken a promise. Dave Harbour, a former utility regulator and sponsor of a website on natural gas pipeline projects, chose the anniversary of Congress' passage of the Statehood Act to take aim at federal policies that he says threaten the future of Alaska. "We're frustrated with state and federal action which, combined, could lead us back to a pre-pipeline population." Speaking to a Rotary Club in Midtown, Harbour went through the details of the 1958 legislation, noting the provision that the new state would receive a majority of revenues from development on federal land. "So you can see that the framers of the Statehood Act, the United States Congress, their intent clearly was that this territory could only become a state if they provided it with the ability to have a revenue stream from federal land resource development. And in doing so, they also knew, were familiar with the state Constitution, that's based upon the state making its living from resource development on state lands." The Parnell administration has been outspoken about what it calls “federal over-reach,” including a dispute over a bridge that ConocoPhillips wants to build over a river in the National Petroleum Reserve -- Alaska. "It seems like recently it's become more and more difficult to get resource development projects going, whether they're on federal land or state land or native corporation land,” said Ed Fogels, deputy commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources. “The regulatory hoops, particularly on the federal side, are getting more onerous and more tricky to navigate." Harbour says the challenges for Alaska are exacerbated by state policies, such as the oil production tax known as ACES: "about the most predatory tax policy in the united states and one of the worst in the world." But on Thursday, there was a focus on the promises of the Statehood Act -- and whether the federal government has lived up to its word. Harbour encouraged the rotary audience to offer public comments on a revised environmental impact statement for exploration in the Chukchi Sea. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement is accepting comments through Monday.
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FBXtwisted said on Tuesday, Jul 12 at 5:39 PM
Yes, if all you carpet baggers would remember, that was the main plank in the Alaska Independence Party platform. The Feds, have not lived up to their obligations under the Statehood Compact. As you young kids like to put it,..."Just Say'in"
70586268M. McCleer said on Saturday, Jul 9 at 7:32 PM
I would say close to 40% of the North Slope workers are not Alaskan and the oppertunities for work on the slope is less than that we hear jobs and new development but be real the non-Alaskans Will get those jobs protect what we have left and get back what has been stolen from Alaskans . No one cares we hear sermons but its for there agenda not for Alaskans but revenue
70436247Andrew said on Saturday, Jul 9 at 6:14 PM
This is true!
70433282Bob said on Saturday, Jul 9 at 5:50 PM
Does the Fed. govt. EVER keep their word? The days are gone when you could depend on some-one's word or handshake..There is NO honor among thieves.
70432392Lifer said on Saturday, Jul 9 at 5:03 PM
"We're frustrated with state and federal action which, combined, could lead us back to a pre-pipeline population." You say that as if it would be a bad thing... Please explain.
70429142sourdoh said on Saturday, Jul 9 at 5:02 PM
and a population of less the pre pipeline days is bad why? good riddance says I. more room at the fishing holes, less competition for the resources. sounds good to me,please go away now. no more PFD either unless you been here 10 years. buy bye now.
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