Air Permitting Transfer Passes Congress

Murkowski's provision gives authority to Interior Department over Arctic seas

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By CBS 11 News
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Story Created: Dec 19, 2011 at 9:31 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Dec 19, 2011 at 10:33 AM AKDT

A significant piece of legislation that passed in the omnibus appropriations bill was the transfer of the air permitting process on Alaska’s waters from the Environmental Protection Agency to the Department of Interior.

Senator Lisa Murkowski says having the EPA in charge of the permitting process was not at the same level playing field as the Gulf of Mexico, where the Department of Interior is in charge of air permits.

She says she hopes having the Interior in charge of air permits will get the ball rolling on future offshore exploration and development.

“The thing that I’m personally pleased with was our success in moving the permitting authority from the EPA to the Department of Interior for Clean Air Act permits,” Murkowski said. “This is significant for us as we try to advance our offshore interests.”

 

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