07.08.22

Sullivan Statement on Willow Project’s Draft SEIS

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) released the following statement in light of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) – Alaska’s draft supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) of the Willow Project.

“Getting this draft supplemental EIS is another important step in the Willow process, but the devil is in the details as this undergoes review,” Senator Sullivan said. “I was proud to work closely with Congressman Young and the Trump administration in getting the Willow Project fully permitted in addition to our work with President Trump on the NPR-A Integrated Activity Plan. Unfortunately, the Biden administration rescinded the 2020 NPR-A Integrated Activity Plan and delayed action on the Willow SEIS after an Alaskan federal court remanded the record of decision back to the BLM, despite this project having broad-based support among all stakeholders in Alaska. 

“So I took the opportunity to personally pitch President Biden in the Oval Office on the details and importance of this project. After that, he and his team gave me their commitment to fully support the Willow Project.

“We’re not there yet and have a ways to go, but this is a step in the right direction on an energy project which is enormously important for Alaska and America. I want to thank the Building Trades, the North Slope Borough – the mayor and their leadership – the Alaska Federation of Natives (AFN), and the Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA), the State of Alaska, and countless other Alaskans who have already worked hard on the project and gotten us this far.” 

BACKGROUND:

  • The Willow Project is a major multi-year energy project currently being developed within the northeast portion of the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska (NPR-A). The project will provide thousands of construction jobs (3/4 will be union labor) and hundreds of direct jobs. The project will also have an outsized impact on the economy of the state. Further, the project is estimated to generate more than $10 billion in revenue for state, local, and federal governments during its lifespan.
  • The project will supply substantial revenues for federal, state, and local governments:
    • $7.6 billion in federal royalty, income tax and gravel sales.
    • $2.3 billion in State of Alaska revenue from production, property, and income taxes.
  • The project will support indigenous communities:
    • $2.6 billion for North Slope communities, which are predominantly Alaska Native.
    • Revenues would align with the administration’s equity goals by supporting vital services to help indigenous communities overcome historic inequities.
    • Project is supported by indigenous communities and leaders, including the North Slope Borough, Voice of the Arctic Inupiat, and the Alaska Federation of Natives.
  • The project supports good-paying jobs:
    • More than 2,000 construction jobs.
    • Hundreds of long-term jobs.
    • Roughly 75% of anticipated total North Slope installation man-hours over a 5-year period will use union labor.
    • Strong union support, including LiUNA, ILWU, NABTU, Teamsters, AFL-CIO and others.
  • Strengthens America’s energy and national security:
    • Willow would have some of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions for a project in the country.
    • It’s anticipated that the project will produce 160,000 barrels a day.
  • Attached is the fact sheet on Willow Senator Sullivan provided to President Biden in the Oval Office on May 24, 2021.

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