On Friday, Oct. 6, and again on Tuesday, Oct. 10, the Department of Interior will have public meetings to hear what Alaskans have to say about the new regulations that will restrict energy development in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.
The new regulations were announced in early September and would drastically change the terms Congress set for the NPRA. The regulations were announced without consultation with Alaska Natives or their organizations.
The NPRA was set aside by Congress for natural resource development balanced with conservation. It’s one of America’s great national security assets.
But the Biden Administration is determined to shut it down, as it has shut down the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge’s 1002 Area, the part of the refuge set aside for oil and gas development.
Friday’s meeting, which starts at 11 am, is virtual. Link to it here.
Tuesday’s meeting, fom 1-3pm, is at the Dena’ina Center (600 W 7 th Ave, Anchorage, AK) in the Kahtnu 1 room.
The 60-day comment period, which is being rushed by the Department of the Interior, will close on Nov. 7, but could be extended if the public is successful in pushing back, since Native Alaskans had not been given an opportunity to be informed.
In fact, the publishing of the public comment period has been nearly secretive by the Department of Interior. Alaskans have been left out of the loop, and Alaska tribes and Native corporations did not receive any invitation to consult on the proposed rule. Instead, they received a letter informing them of the new rule, seven business days before the rule’s publication.
To provide comments, visit the Management and Protection of the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska proposed rule at regulations.gov.
