This just in...WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH) today responded to a letter sent to him earlier in the day by House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), reminding Rep. Emanuel that Democratic legislation passed earlier in this Congress (H.R. 6, Section 205[c]) was intended to prevent increased American energy production in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA). Earlier today at a press conference and in Rep. Emanuel’s letter to Boehner, Democratic leaders identified the NPRA as an area in which increased energy production should take place – in lieu of more exploration in oil- and gas-rich reserves beneath Alaska’s desolate Arctic coastal plain and the Outer Continental Shelf. Boehner and his House Republican colleagues support environmentally-safe American energy production not only in the NPRA, but on other remote federal lands and far off U.S. coasts. The full text of Boehner’s response to Rep. Emanuel follows and can be found by clicking here (PDF):I know what you are thinking...you're saying, "Self, what the heck is the NPR-A?" Can't say as I blame you. Not many people know about it since when most people talk about drilling for oil in Alaska, they are usually talking about ANWR.
July 10, 2008
The Honorable Rahm Emanuel
Chairman, House Democratic Caucus
1319 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Dear Rahm:
Thanks for your letter. As you know, House Republicans are for “all of the above” when it comes to the reforms necessary to lower gas prices and move America towards energy independence.
I am surprised and pleased to learn of the House Democratic leadership’s sudden support for oil and gas exploration in the National Petroleum Reserve lands in Alaska (NRPA). As you may recall, a provision in H.R. 6 – a part of your party’s “Six for ’06” agenda, passed last year with great fanfare – was intended to prevent increased American energy production in the NRPA (Section 205(c)).
If you and other Democrats are now indicating a willingness to reverse your policy on NRPA and allow energy production in this area, Republicans will certainly work with you to do so as part of a comprehensive energy strategy that also includes environmentally responsible drilling in other critical untapped regions of our country such as ANWR and deep ocean energy zones far off our shores, increased conservation, and accelerated development of alternative fuels. We must utilize the untapped energy in the remote regions of Alaska – regardless of which blanket of ice or frozen tundra it lies beneath or which acronym is attached to it – provided it can be done in a manner that is both environmentally responsible and respectful of the wishes of the local residents of the area.
Thank you for your letter, and I look forward to working with you and our colleagues on this most critical issue for our nation’s future.
Sincerely,
Rep. John Boehner (R-OH)
House Republican Leader
Let's have the Institute for Energy Research do my heavy lifting:
As usual, I say Drill Here, Drill Now, Pay Less!
The National Petroleum Reserve – Alaska (NPR-A):
Ø Formerly known as the Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4, the vast 23-million acre area on Alaska's North Slope has a history of nearly 100 years of petroleum exploration. In 1923, mindful of the land's conceivable petroleum value, President Harding set aside these 23 million acres as an emergency oil supply for the U.S. Navy. In 1976, in accordance with the Naval Petroleum Reserve Production Act, the administration of the reserve was transferred to the Department of the Interior, more specifically the Bureau of Land Management, and was renamed to what is now known as the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPR-A). The BLM has held four lease sales in the NPR-A (Northeast - 1999 and 2002 and Northwest - 2004 and 2006) and currently administers more than 300 Federal oil and gas leases. NPR-A is estimated to contain 10.6 billion barrels of oil.
Prudhoe Bay
Ø In between NPR-A and ANWR lies Prudhoe Bay. Oil was discovered in Prudhoe Bay in 1967, and production began in 1977 when the Trans-Alaskan Pipeline (TAPS) was completed. Since that time, the United States has sent more than 15 billion barrels of oil down TAPS to consumers in the lower 48 states. Production continues today, even though Prudhoe Bay was originally estimated to contain only 9 billion barrels of oil. Unlike NPR-A and ANWR, Prudhoe Bay energy production occurs on state, not federal, lands.
The 1002 Area of ANWR
Ø Section 1002 of the law that established the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) set aside 1.5-million acres of the northern coastal plain for future production of its enormous petroleum resources. This 1.5 million acres is known as the 1002 Area after that section of the law, and is estimated to contain 10.4 billion barrels of oil. However, unlike NPR-A, Congress must vote to approve energy production in ANWR’s 1002 Area. It has not yet done so.Four Key Questions
Q: Would it be faster and/or more environmentally sound to drill in NPR-A instead of ANWR’s 1002 Area?
A: No. While both NPR-A and ANWR’s 1002 Area were set aside specifically for their oil and gas resources, NPR-A oil is spread out over its entire 23 million acre expanse. The 10.4 billion barrels in ANWR’s 1002 area, on the other hand, is concentrated in one relatively small area and, as such, can be produced with far less surface disturbance. Also, 21st century technologies enable companies to produce energy safely, as they have been doing in Prudhoe Bay for more than three decades.
Q: Why isn’t oil being produced in the NPR-A today?
A: Lawsuits filed by environmental organizations have stalled production in NPR-A. In addition, a U.S. Corp of Engineers permit has not yet been granted to install a critical pipeline.
Q: Which would require greater investments in surface roads, pipelines, and drill-pads?
A: NPR-A would require a much greater investment in surface infrastructure.
Q: Can and should oil be produced in both NPR-A and ANWR’s 1002 area?
A: Yes.
