Sidebar: Dunleavey objects strenuously

Petroleum News

Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy has objected strenuously to the Biden administration’s plan.

In a June 12 release, he called the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s announcement a move to exert greater control over Alaska’s waters, and said a broadened definition of Waters of the United States, WOTUS, would mean more projects would require federal permits, increasing project expenses, timelines and uncertainty without corresponding environmental benefit.

“Alaska’s management of our lands and waters is a model for the nation,” Dunleavy said. “Nearly half the nation’s water is within Alaska, with over three million lakes, 365,000 miles of rivers, and countless unnavigable glaciers, permafrost, and wetlands.”

He called the proposal to redefine WOTUS “nothing more than a naked power grab for federal rule from Washington, D.C.”

“Make no mistake,” the governor said, “the ability of Alaskans to harvest timber, develop oil and gas, mine the critical minerals needed for national security, and the ability to farm and hunt are in danger with this announcement. It would be less insulting to the State of Alaska if the Biden EPA came out transparently with its intent to turn our land into a national park under the management of rangers.”

- Petroleum News