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Begich to Obama: remember the Arctic Senator outlines polar priorities for the president, including icebreakers, Arctic science and timely review of oil and gas projects Wesley Loy For Petroleum News
As President Obama neared his inaugural for a second term in the White House, he received a list of “Arctic priorities” from Democratic Sen. Mark Begich of Alaska.
On the senator’s list: an expanded Coast Guard presence in the polar ocean; more Arctic science; and streamlined review of Arctic oil and gas permit applications.
Begich laid down his priorities in a Jan. 16 letter to Obama.
“Our nation has both an historic opportunity and challenge as we face an Arctic Ocean which is increasingly ice-free,” the three-page letter began. “I appreciate all your administration has done to advance responsible development in the region. As the Arctic opens, we will have to carefully balance protection of the natural environment and those who rely on it with the economic needs of our nation for efficient oil and gas development, marine shipping, fisheries and tourism. As you prepare your 2014 and out-year budgets, I urge you to reflect the importance of these Arctic challenges and opportunities to the nation.”
Icebreakers Begich chairs the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard.
Begich and the rest of the Alaska congressional delegation at times have been at odds with the Obama administration over Coast Guard icebreakers, Arctic oil and gas activity and other issues.
With respect to icebreakers, the Alaskans are pushing for more of them, whether it means overhauling old ships or building new ones. Either option will be very expensive.
Begich, in his letter, said the Coast Guard will need adequate icebreaking capability in an increasingly accessible Arctic.
“We should do this through both the relatively cost-effective means of extending the life of our existing icebreakers and making investments in new icebreakers for the long term,” he wrote.
At present, the Coast Guard has only one operational icebreaker, the medium-duty Healy. A heavy-duty icebreaker, the Polar Star, recently was refurbished in Seattle and is expected to return to active duty later in the year.
Beyond icebreakers, the Coast Guard also needs “a credible forward operating base in the Arctic to support marine and aviation operations, as well as sufficient Arctic-capable aircraft and cutters to ensure it can execute all of its important missions in the region,” Begich said.
Science and permitting Begich noted the lack of “basic environmental knowledge needed to make the complicated policy decisions we are sure to face as activity expands” in the Arctic.
He urged Obama to ensure adequate operational and capital funds for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of the Interior.
“NOAA has many capabilities to support Arctic development, including gathering hydrographic and meteorological data and mapping sensitive habitats but lacks the operational funding to fully survey the region,” Begich wrote. “DOI has broad-reaching interests in Arctic science as well.”
Begich said he sought, during Obama’s first term, “robust but fair” federal review of Arctic oil and gas permit applications.
“I am pleased your administration has worked with me to make great strides towards this goal,” the senator wrote. “I ask that we protect the gains made and pave the way for further improvements” by ensuring NOAA, the Interior Department, the Environmental Protection Agency and other agencies involved in permitting are “funded to fully and efficiently carry out their responsibilities.”
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