Fiscal 2013 budget funds resource access

Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell said Dec. 6 that his fiscal year 2013 budget will contain funding for increased access to Alaska’s resources.

“Better transportation corridors will open up petroleum and mining opportunities,” the governor said. “Mineral exploration expenditures are up, and with our efforts to streamline the permitting process, we are working to secure Alaska’s resources for Alaskans’ benefit.”

The budget will contain $28.5 million for roads to resources, including $10 million for the road to Umiat. The Umiat funding provides for continued work on an environmental impact statement; continued evaluation of routes from Umiat to existing roads on the North Slope and definition of a preferred alternative; and securing environmental permits and right of way for the Umiat project. The Umiat project has $25 million in previous funding.

Other roads in the budget include the road to Tanana, the Ambler Mining District road and the Klondike industrial use highway.

The budget also includes $3.3 million to streamline the permitting process.

Other oil and gas related resource funding includes $1.1 million for a shale oil assessment to “provide a needed geologic assessment of shale oil on the North Slope and other areas of Alaska.”

—Petroleum News