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The tax bill is bringing drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge closer than ever
The Republican tax reform bill expected to come to a vote this week is bringing Alaskan lawmakers the closest they’ve ever been to a prize they’ve coveted for decades: permission from Congress to open up sections of the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil and natural gas drilling.
To them, the refuge is a chance to make the state more economically resilient and refill Alaska’s Permanent Fund, which has been paying shrinking dividends from oil and gas revenue to Alaskans in recent years.
But time after time, Alaskan leaders have been stymied — as environmentalists have made blocking drilling in ANWR a rallying cry and Congress has offered tepid support at best and outright hostility at worst.
Now after nearly 40 years, the Alaska delegation, led by Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, is the closest it’s ever been to the ANWR prize.
To them, the refuge is a chance to make the state more economically resilient and refill Alaska’s Permanent Fund, which has been paying shrinking dividends from oil and gas revenue to Alaskans in recent years.
But time after time, Alaskan leaders have been stymied — as environmentalists have made blocking drilling in ANWR a rallying cry and Congress has offered tepid support at best and outright hostility at worst.
Now after nearly 40 years, the Alaska delegation, led by Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski, is the closest it’s ever been to the ANWR prize.
https://www.vox.com/energy-and-environment/2017/10/6/16411648/republicans-tax-reform-arctic-national-wildlife-refuge-drilling-oil