On 1 May, the U.S. House Committee on Natural Resources voted on H.R. 1146, legislation that would block the U.S. from moving forward with opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas development. In response to the vote, IADC President Jason McFarland said:
“Opening a portion of ANWR to oil and gas development and production has been a goal of IADC’s since the 1980s as it represents an extraordinary opportunity to responsibly develop the vast resources that the area is believed to contain. Therefore, IADC is disappointed by today’s vote in the House Natural Resources Committee that attempts to block future development of ANWR. According to the Congressional Budget Office, opening this area will create jobs and raise $1.1 billion in revenue over the next ten years. In addition, opening ANWR keeps the U.S. on the path of energy dominance, allowing the country to develop more of its own natural resources, which will be needed for decades to come. Based on their experience drilling thousands of wells in the U.S. and internationally, IADC members have no doubt that oil and gas operations can be conducted in ANWR without harm to the area’s wildlife and in a manner that is compatible with the sensitive arctic environment. IADC and its members remain committed to supporting legislation that encourages environmentally sensitive and responsible drilling activities both in the U.S. and internationally.”
