Obama Administration cripples Alaska’s economy

Anchorage, AK – The Alaska Chamber is an organization dedicated to improving the business environment in Alaska. The Chamber represents hundreds of businesses from across Alaska who employee over 100,000 Alaskans.

The Chamber is shocked by the shortsightedness of the Obama Administration's decision to remove two Alaska lease sales from its "Proposed Final Program" for Offshore Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) leasing for 2017-2022 in the remaining days until a new president is sworn in. Alaska has the natural resources and safety record to develop OCS.

“Arctic development has the potential to provide an average of 54,700 jobs nationwide with a cumulative payroll of $145 billion,” said President and CEO Curtis W. Thayer. “It would provide security to our country, utilize existing infrastructure (Trans-Alaska Pipeline System) and grow our state and national economies.”

The Administration did not listen to Alaskans once again. According to a 2014 poll conducted by the Consumer Energy Alliance, over 70% percent of Alaskans support OCS development inside the Arctic Circle. 

“Our members support resource development that is done in a responsible manner and brings economic opportunity to Alaska and its residents. It defies logic why the President would try to cripple our future as he prepares to leave office,” said Thayer.
 

About the Alaska Chamber
The Alaska Chamber, a private, non-profit corporation, operating since 1952, works to promote a positive business environment in Alaska. The Chamber is the voice of small and large business across the state with a Board of Directors comprised of 80 members representing all regions of the state. For more information visit alaskachamber.com.