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THE EXPLORERS 2004: Resourcefulness, technology drivers in today’s resource development
Frank H. Murkowski Governor of Alaska
In Gold Rush days, at the turn of the last century, Alaskan explorers passed along innumerable tales of wealth pulled from a harsh and often frozen ground. In the best stories, it seems, it was plain luck that led to the fantastic discovery of a giant nugget, gold-laced quartz vein or rich placer claim.
The pioneering explorers of today seek Alaska’s rich resources with similar passion. There are still great stories. Luck, however, is less of a factor. In today’s economy, technology, science, collaboration and sound government policy are the tools needed to provide as close to a guarantee of success as possible.
Explorers provide the determination and hard work. Corporations and universities provide the science, technology and financial underpinning. Government must provide sound policy.
Only by working together will the energy demanded by the nation be efficiently mined, processed and sent to market. Stakes are high. We know that the nation must locate and develop domestic energy sources if our economy is to grow and generate the jobs needed to keep families prosperous. Future prosperity depends on energy explorers The role played by those who discover new energy sources could not be more important. Put plainly, our nation’s future prosperity relies on the success of today’s energy explorers.
As governor, my job is to take a leadership role in promoting exploration for new energy. As an administration, we have much to be proud of — while recognizing there’s still work to do.
My administration’s highest priority is advancing construction of a natural gas pipeline. Alaska’s congressional delegation worked to pass legislation important to making the project competitive in a world market. On the state’s side, we are actively negotiating with both producers and pipeline companies on a gas pipeline fiscal agreement. In the process, we are insisting on access rights to the pipeline for all producers.
During the past 18 months we have increased the amount of exploration acreage companies may hold, therefore allowing oil and gas explorers to work in several places at the same time. In addition, we have provided tax incentives for seismic exploration and exploratory well drilling statewide, and for development of natural gas in areas other than the North Slope.
My administration, for example, has encouraged oil and gas exploration in frontier areas of the North Slope and the Bristol Bay basin. We have taken steps to hold lease sales off of ANWR within Alaska’s sovereign three-mile limit, and we are working to promote exploration in NPR-A as well as the North Slope foothills. Administration committed to common sense approach My administration is committed to an effective, common sense approach to regulation. Narrow special interests, claiming to be defenders of the environment, will continue to discourage regulatory reform. With the help of technology and good stewardship, exploration can be done responsibly.
These are no quick fixes. Rather, the goal of regulation reform is efficiency by knocking down counterintuitive roadblocks.
An example: by consolidating Alaska’s water quality protection programs we reduced the paperwork and time needed to secure permits without yielding on clean water standards. Likewise, we streamlined air permitting requirements.
Improved transportation infrastructure will foster successful exploration as well. I put in place an industrial roads program, which I call “Roads to Resources.” The program will seek funding for and quickly construct short sections of new road in order to access areas for natural resource development and exploration. Three of these roads are planned to extend into the North Slope from the Dalton Highway, accessing NPR-A as well as the foothills.
We can leverage technology and rely on human ingenuity for resource development. I have asked the University of Alaska to bring its human capital and technology to bear on resource development. Specifically, the university is home to two of the most advanced supercomputers in the nation — powerful tools to analyze the data and create the maps needed to guide today’s explorers.
I have asked the university to be a source of expertise to stand up to those who would forever lock away Alaska’s vast, and much needed, energy resources. The university has the tools to supply solid scientific knowledge needed to establish responsible energy development policies.
Our development goals cannot depend on luck. What worked in the 1890s will not work today. Instead, we will rely on the resourcefulness of our people empowered by the technology of tomorrow.
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