The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA) will fight the Department of Interior’s acts against the 1002 area leases.
In 2020, AIDEA made lawful bids and was legally awarded land leases in the 1002 area of ANWR, an area DESIGNATED by Congress for responsible oil production. This action was laid out in the Tax cuts and Jobs Act signed into law by the President in 2017.
Candidate Joe Biden made campaign promises to shut down oil and gas production on federal lands and ANWR, which meant destroying high paying jobs Americans and Alaskan families and communities would benefit from. As then candidate Biden said repeatedly, 'I am completely totally opposed [to development] in ANWR. No more drilling on federal lands period!' This statement was made regardless of the law and congressional mandates.
This latest action by the Department of the Interior shows arbitrary disregard for Federal law, based on campaign trail rhetoric. Campaign promises are not enough to justify this agency action. Under the law, Interior must present real facts and reasons that support this reversal in position.
Interior’s action leaves AIDEA one choice, we have to go to court to protect our rights in the ANWR leases. This time, we will ask the court to allow us to conduct discovery that could include taking the deposition of Biden’s messenger, Secretary Haaland and possibly other administration officials involved so the real motives are made public.
Unfortunately, Alaskans can expect more negative campaign decisions shutting down opportunities for jobs and resource development in Alaska. Development in Alaska that would benefit the nation with domestic supplies of resources and ensure trillions of dollars appropriated for the 'green' economy do not go to foreign countries with little to no environmental standards.
A willingness to circumvent laws passed by Congress has consequences reaching far beyond ANWR’s boundaries, and will impact future development across this country. AIDEA will aggressively defend our lease rights and oppose this unlawful action.
About AIDEA:
The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority is a public corporation of the State of Alaska. AIDEA’s purpose is to promote, develop, and advance the general prosperity and economic welfare of the people of Alaska.
Source: AIDEA
