SJR 3-ENDORSING ANWR LEASING  2:08:25 PM CO-CHAIR SADDLER announced that the next order of business would be CS FOR SPONSOR SUBSTITUTE FOR SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 3(RES), Urging the United States Congress to pass legislation to open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration, development, and production; relating to oil and gas exploration, development, production, and royalties; and relating to renewable and alternative energy technologies. 2:08:33 PM CO-CHAIR FEIGE moved to adopt the proposed House committee substitute (HCS) for CSSSSJR 3, Version 28-LS0331\P, Nauman/Bullock, 4/1/12, as the working document. There being no objection, Version P was before the committee. 2:09:03 PM MINDY ROWLAND, Staff, Senator Peter Micciche, Alaska State Legislature, informed the committee the resolution carries on the tradition begun after the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) in 1980. Since then, every legislature, governor, and member of the Alaska Congressional Delegation have supported opening a portion of the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil and gas development. The resolution reflects updated intent of past resolutions; for example, SJR 3 points out the benefit of linking oilfields at Point Thomson to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS), and language specifying the amount of acreage requested to be opened is eliminated to mirror recent federal energy legislation introduced in the U.S. Senate. Ms. Rowland observed proposed Version P adds Inupiat to the people dependent upon the Porcupine Caribou Herd, and adds a resolve stating the need to recognize and respect the rights of Native landowners in ANWR. It is in the national interest to become less dependent on foreign sources for energy, and it is in Alaska's interest to have energy produced in the state. Senator Micciche seeks to replace words with action, she said, and opening ANWR facilitates the desire for the U.S. to become energy independent from others. Further, today's environmentally responsible oil and gas related activity in the Arctic results in a significantly smaller impact on these valued lands; in fact, oil and gas activities conducted in ANWR will be monitored to ensure traditional lands and wildlife populations remain pristine and productive. Ms. Rowland concluded that the passage of SJR 3 continues the message conveyed by past legislatures. 2:12:49 PM CO-CHAIR SADDLER opened public testimony. After ascertaining no one wished to testify, public testimony was closed. REPRESENTATIVE TUCK opined Alaska has clearly demonstrated through its procedures, methods, and history on the North Slope that development can be done right. He questioned why industry would consider drilling in deep water offshore with the inherent risks, when it is possible to drill safely onshore, within a small footprint. He expressed his support for the resolution. REPRESENTATIVE P. WILSON read from a document provided by Arctic Power, Anchorage, Alaska, entitled, "49 ANWR points from the 49th State," as follows: 1) The 10-02 Area has more conventional oil potential in one spot than any single or collective regional onshore location in North America. CO-CHAIR SADDLER stated the importance for the state to continue to make proclamations of the facts of oil and gas development on the North Slope. 2:15:25 PM CO-CHAIR FEIGE moved to report the proposed House committee substitute for CSSSSJR 3, Version 28-LS0331\P, Nauman/Bullock, 4/1/13, out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying zero fiscal notes. There being no objection, HCS CSSSSJR 3(RES) was reported from the House Resources Standing Committee.