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Committee advances SJR 19 urging Congress to restore Alaska revenue shares for ANWR and NPRA
Summary
The Senate Resources Committee adopted a committee substitute and reported Senate Joint Resolution 19, urging Congress to restore larger revenue shares for Alaska from ANWR and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA). The substitute removed a reference to the federal administration and noted appreciation for Willow approvals.
The Alaska Senate Resources Committee on April 23 adopted a committee substitute and reported Senate Joint Resolution 19 urging Congress to reverse its decision to limit Alaska to 50% of revenues from certain federal oil and gas development and to seek higher revenue shares for production in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska (NPRA).
Laura Ashey, staff to Sen. Jesse Bjorkman, the resolution's sponsor, told the committee the measure "urges Congress to reverse its decision to only allow Alaska to receive 50% of the revenues from development of oil and gas resources in ANWR," and also requests that Alaska receive "90% of the revenues from production in the NPRA," language the sponsor added although it was not part of the original statehood or Mineral Leasing Act provisions.
The committee adopted a committee substitute that, according to Entomayo Harbison, staff to Sen. Giesel, removes references to the federal administration and instead reiterates gratitude for "the approval and development of the Willow Project and other projects within the NPRA." The chair opened and closed public testimony earlier on April 14 and recorded no public comment in the April 23 meeting.
Vice Chair Sen. Wilkowsky moved to report the committee substitute out of committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal notes; the chair indicated no objection and the resolution moved from the committee. The committee clerk noted the measure carries a zero fiscal note.
The resolution is a formal request by the Alaska Legislature directed at Congress; it does not itself change state law or appropriate funds. The language seeking a 90% share for NPRA production reflects explicit sponsor direction, and the committee substitute clarifies the committee's framing by removing a federal-administration reference and thanking federal approvals for specific projects.
