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President issues U.S. Arctic strategy Sets out three-pronged approach to advancing U.S. interests while protecting environment, cooperating with other Arctic nations Alan Bailey Petroleum News
In what appears to be a signal of increased national awareness of the United States’ role as an Arctic nation, President Obama has issued a “National Strategy for the Arctic Region,” a document that sets out high-level priorities for federal government actions relating to the Arctic.
“The Arctic is one of our planet’s last great frontiers,” Obama said in a statement accompanying the new strategy document. “Our pioneering spirit is naturally drawn to this region, for the economic opportunities it presents and in recognition of the need to protect and conserve this unique, valuable and changing environment.”
According to a White House statement high-level officials from the Obama administration will meet in June with the state administration, Alaska Natives and others to discuss how best to move forward with strategy implementation. The National Security Staff who prepared the strategy document says that during the coming summer it will develop an implementation plan for the strategy — that plan will include implementation roles and responsibilities.
Three priorities The strategy sets out three “lines of effort” for the federal government in the Arctic:
1. To advance U.S. security interests by ensuring that vessels and aircraft can operate in the Arctic; by establishing an appropriate Arctic infrastructure; and by promoting responsible energy development in the region.
2. To pursue responsible stewardship of the Arctic through environmental protection; the establishment of an integrated Arctic management framework; the charting of the Arctic region; and the improved understanding of the Arctic through scientific research and the use of traditional knowledge.
3. To strengthen international cooperation in the Arctic through bodies such as the Arctic Council and through accession to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
And the strategy sets out some principles to guide government actions. One principle is to ensure the maintenance of the Arctic as an area free of conflict, by supporting international legal principles of freedom of navigation and by promoting the peaceful resolution of disputes between nations. Another principle is to use the best and most current scientific and traditional knowledge to inform decision making. Also, the federal government will foster partnerships with the State of Alaska, Arctic states, other international partners and the private sector for the efficient advancement of U.S. strategic Arctic priorities “in this austere fiscal environment,” the strategy document says. And the government will consult with Alaska Natives, recognizing tribal governments’ unique legal relationship with the U.S. government, the document says.
Oil and gas The document says that oil and gas development in the U.S. Arctic comes within the U.S. administration’s “all of the above” approach to meeting U.S. energy needs, an approach that includes the expansion of oil and gas production as well as the use of new renewable energy resources.
“Within the context of this broader energy security strategy … we are committed to working with stakeholders, industry and other Arctic states to explore the energy resource base, develop and implement best practices, and share experiences to enable the environmentally responsible production of oil and natural gas as well as renewable energy,” the document says.
The document also says that economic development must be balanced against the need to protect both the environment and the region’s cultural values.
“Responsible stewardship requires active conservation of resources, balanced management and the application of scientific and traditional knowledge of physical and living environments,” the document says.
Collaboration And the strategy recognizes collaboration and cooperation with other Arctic nations as a means of achieving Arctic prosperity within the context of environmentally sustainable activities.
“Arctic nations have varied commercial, cultural, environmental, safety and security concerns in the Arctic region,” the strategy document says. “Nevertheless, our common interests make these nations ideal partners in the region.”
The United States also needs to work with non-Arctic states that are interested in the Arctic region, to advance common objectives such as the promotion of safe Arctic shipping, the document says.
In summary, the document says that the administration seeks “a collaborative and innovative approach to manage a rapidly changing region.” The melting of Arctic sea ice can transform global climates and ecosystems, as well as transforming global shipping, energy markets and other commercial interests, the document says.
“The unique Arctic environment will require a commitment by the United States to make judicious, coordinated infrastructure development decisions, informed by science,” the documents says. “To meet his challenge we will need bold, innovative thinking that embraces and generates new and creative public-private and multinational cooperative models.”
Delegation support The Alaska congressional delegation expressed its support for the strategy.
“I welcome the release of the administration’s National Strategy for the Arctic Region, identifying strategic priorities for the United States in the Arctic region for the next 10 years — and their top line acknowledgement that America is an Arctic nation,” said Sen. Lisa Murkowski. “As the strategy notes, issues such as circumpolar maritime transit, greater access to resources and the needs of the indigenous people of the Arctic are coming to the forefront and the Arctic’s importance to the United States as a nation demands greater attention.”
“I’m pleased this administration responded to our request to recognize the enormous opportunities and challenges in a changing Arctic,” said Sen. Mark Begich. “Until now, the U.S. was the only Arctic nation lacking a formal strategy and effort to coordinate federal agencies in their approach to the Arctic. Now the challenge will be committing to the icebreakers, Arctic ports and dedication to science which is vital to sustainable management of the Arctic.”
“Finally! It’s about time that the Administration acknowledged the importance of a strong presence in the Arctic,” said Rep. Don Young. “From ... shipping to tourism, power projection to resource development, I am glad that the administration has at least released something that reflects our need to be a leader in the Arctic. I was also pleased to see the White House pay special attention to building and maintaining a strong relationship with Alaska Natives on Arctic issues.”
“While there are no concrete commitments in the strategy released today, we welcome the White House’s acknowledgement that the Arctic will play a significant role in our nation’s future,” said Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell. “Alaska is America’s Arctic, and we look forward to having a prominent role working with the federal government on these issues that will improve the lives of Alaskans and move the United States back into a leadership role among Arctic nations.”
Environmentalist response However, some environmental organizations have questioned the inclusion of oil and gas development in the strategy.
“President Obama’s ‘all of the above’ strategy for the Arctic region is not the right path forward — he can’t drill in the Arctic to burn more oil while hoping to solidify his climate legacy,” said Cindy Shogan, executive director of the Alaska Wilderness League. “President Obama should address climate change by stopping future drilling in the Arctic. The only real solution to domestic security and climate change is to curb our fossil fuel addiction, resulting in lowered carbon emissions and dependence on foreign oil.”
“That it advocates for oil and gas drilling in the region under the guise of energy security makes a mockery of the rest of the document,” Greenpeace Deputy Campaigns Director Dan Howells said of the strategy. “It makes it apparent that President Obama is prepared to undermine his recent commitments to tackling climate change.”
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