HJR 5-ENDORSING ANWR LEASING; RELATED ISSUES  7:02:40 PM CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON announced that the final order of business would be CS FOR HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 5(AET), Urging the United States Congress to pass legislation to open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas development; urging the United States Department of the Interior to recognize the private property rights of owners of land in and adjacent to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge; relating to oil and gas exploration, development, production, and royalties; and relating to renewable and alternative energy technologies. 7:02:48 PM MIKE SATRE expressed his support of HJR 5, and urged the opening of leasing and oil and gas development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). He said Alaskans and previous legislatures have historically supported this action. Mr. Satre explained the resolution does not open all of ANWR to oil and gas development, but does open approximately 0.01 percent of the refuge close to existing development on the North Slope. Alaska has a history of responsibly developing oil and gas resources in that area, and can leverage the existing infrastructure, in order to provide oil and gas for the decades of world demand ahead. Alaska's future depends upon increased oil and gas development on state and federal lands. Taxing a declining resource will not provide fiscal stability because the state needs more oil in the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System. This issue is critical to his family's future. Mr. Satre urged the committee to expeditiously pass the resolution. 7:05:26 PM FRANK BERGSTROM provided a brief description of his many positive experiences on the North Slope and said he intends to return. Alaska needs ANWR's oil, and the magnitude of [oil and gas] development there is minimal; in fact, it is known it would take only 2,000 acres to recover all of the oil located there. He said there is no unmanageable downside to the thoughtful development of ANWR. At [Prudhoe Bay], one sees a large industrial plant: the footprint of development is small. This is a wonderful opportunity and he encouraged the committee to support the development of ANWR. 7:07:24 PM JULIA YORK informed the committee she was born and raised in Fairbanks and holds a master's degree in biology. She said she is aware of the state's budget crisis as her family has been affected, but the crisis is occurring because the state has been dependent upon oil revenue for too long; it is time to invest in a more reliable future for Alaska. The bill is financially and environmentally irresponsible and is based on outdated polling. In fact, oil development cannot be done in an environmentally responsible manner on the tundra. Ms. York said she has been to the North Slope oil fields and advised that restoration by oil companies after spills and disturbance is measured by "how much area is green," which is achieved by planting grass. She opined this is a misunderstanding of the coastal plain and is misleading; furthermore, the testimony of oil companies should be discounted as they have a direct financial incentive. Ms. York said this is not a matter of 2,000 acres of land, but of wide-reaching and permanent effects on a sensitive ecosystem, including multiplying the effect of climate change. She concluded that villages are in imminent danger. 7:11:08 PM STEVEN GREENLAW said he has lived in Alaska for four years and is a student at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He stated there is a moral imperative to protecting ANWR because the dignity of the human person is tied to the land, and opening up the area for oil development would be a shortsighted and short- term benefit for a few. Further, there is an urgent need to substitute renewable resources for fossil fuels, for a new economy in Alaska that values its indigenous voices and lives. Mr. Greenlaw urged the co-chairs to consider the dignity of a human person in their ethics; to Gwich'in, ANWR is home and turning the land into resources would alienate and displace them. He quoted from a source in regard to the environmental crisis and the suffering of the excluded [document not provided], and expressed his opposition to HJR 5 "for the 1002 area." 7:13:19 PM RICHARD GLENN, Vice President, Land and Natural Resources, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation (ASRC), informed the committee ASRC, together with the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation, own approximately 91,000 acres of land within the coastal plain of ANWR. He said ownership of the land is true, legitimate, and legal ownership of the land, but its owners are prevented from developing their land unless Congress acts to open ANWR for exploration. The 13,000 shareholders of ASRC, the village corporation, residents of Kaktovik, and the North Slope Borough have fought for the responsible exploration of the coastal plain, which can be done safely on the land where residents hunt, fish, and catch caribou. Mr. Glenn advised only through exploration of the area will a determination be made that there are resources for development - and the location of said resources - so responsible decisions can be made. He urged for the passage of the resolution. 7:15:37 PM KARA MORIARTY, President/CEO, Alaska Oil and Gas Association, said she was representing the Alaska oil and gas industry and referred to a letter of support for the resolution provided in the committee packet. She said opportunities to explore for resources cannot commence until the land is available for purchasing a lease. The resolution endorses Congress opening the land for the leasing process, which is extensive and requires environmental impact studies before and after lease sales. Furthermore, she pointed out the 1002 area was set aside specifically for oil and gas development in the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) and in the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA), in order to protect "90-some percent" of the refuge and allow development in a certain area. Ms. Moriarty opined safe development is underway "right next door" and will continue for decades. She said the issue is on the national stage, and the industry has long supported increased access to this area. REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER asked for the average cost of a lease. MS. MORIARTY stated that is very difficult to speculate; for example, lease sales can generate from $200,000 to $2,100,000,000 in bids. 7:18:41 PM ALEXANDER GEDSCHINSKY acknowledged the state depends on oil and the exploration for oil should not be unreasonably stopped; however, ANWR should not be exploited. He pointed out ConocoPhillips Alaska, Inc. has announced a massive discovery of oil in the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska (NPRA), which can be brought to market quickly and cheaply. He said he was speaking for younger residents whose voices are not heard, and questioned why when forty people testified in opposition to the bill and one was in favor, legislators continued to support the bill. He asked whether constituents' comments matter as much as those of oil companies. 7:20:23 PM PRINCESS JOHNSON drew attention to a map in the committee room and pointed out about 95 percent of the North Slope is open to oil development; of the 5 percent left, she questioned when there will be protection for the remaining places. She said she is Neets'aii Gwich'in, a member of the Fairbanks Climate Action Coalition, a mother, a daughter, a sister, and has been speaking out on this issue, along with her home village of Vashraii K'oo, or Arctic Village, since she was 15 years old. Ms. Johnson referred to earlier testimony, noting people love Alaska because of its hunting, fishing, and natural resources. In regard to transparency, equity, and [governmental] process, she said over the past three years the U.S. Department of Interior updated the comprehensive conservation plan for ANWR, and during public testimony in Fairbanks the majority of Alaskans opposed development. As a result of that public process, the Obama Administration recommended to Congress to designate wilderness for the coastal plain of ANWR thus the resolution disregards, silences, and marginalizes the voices of Alaskans. In addition, continuing to privatize and enclose Alaska robs residents of their ability to enjoy the land and to feed their families. Ms. Johnson said the belief that all Alaskans want development in the coastal plain of ANWR is untrue. 7:22:47 PM ANNE SENECA, Spokesperson, Consumer Energy Alliance (CEA) Alaska, informed the committee CEA Alaska seeks to raise awareness about Alaska's contribution to domestic energy production for the Lower 48. Alaska's onshore and offshore production supplies oil to America's western region and establishes America's geopolitical presence in the Arctic region, which plays a role in consumer energy prices. The Arctic is a region of growing geopolitical significance, and CEA Alaska works to remind consumers of the importance of the Arctic region. Representative Westlake's leadership affords CEA Alaska the opportunity to educate consumers and advocate for lower energy prices through the following key points: only 8 percent of ANWR would be considered for exploration; if oil is discovered, 2,000 acres of the 1002 area would be used for surface structures; exploration would have a positive impact on the economy in Alaska and the Lower 48; there will be a need for tens of thousands of manufacturing and service jobs nationwide; history shows that oil and gas development and wildlife can peacefully coexist in the Arctic; in the oilfields there is a healthy population of brown bear, fox, musk ox, birds, and fish; dependence on imported oil contributes to national debt and threatens national security. Ms. Seneca concluded CEA Alaska supports an energy policy that includes renewable energy sources and fossil fuels, and supports exploration in the 1002 area of ANWR. 7:25:59 PM DONETTA TRITT said she is originally from Arctic Village. She informed the committee in late July or August, the Porcupine Caribou Herd leaves the 1001 area, also known as the calving grounds in the refuge, and then migrates to Canada. The migration route travels near Arctic Village, providing for the village as it has done for thousands of years. However in 2015, for an unknown reason, the caribou traveled directly to Canada, and that fall elders in Arctic Village were sick because Native foods were not available that winter. Ms. Tritt opined this is a hint of what could happen. 7:27:43 PM RON YARNELL said he owns a wilderness guiding business, All About Adventure, and has been leading trips in the Brooks Range since the early '70s and in ANWR since 1976. The Arctic refuge has provided his living for over 40 years, and for others as well. He questioned why some are anxious to open Alaska's treasures because over 95 percent of the north slope of the Brooks Range is already open to oil development, or is being opened, and opined protecting the 5 percent left is enough of a compromise. Mr. Yarnell inquired as to why one would destroy what one loves about Alaska: wilderness. His significant amount of experience in the coastal plain reveals that a unique wilderness experience, available only there, would not survive oil development. He said he has guided thousands across the coastal plain of the refuge and opined one should not vote for this resolution if one has not spent time there. In fact, the federal government is needed to protect special areas from local pressure which seeks to exploit other resources. Mr. Yarnell urged the committee to drop this resolution and concentrate development in Prudhoe Bay, which has high potential and fewer conflicts. 7:30:12 PM NARIEEZH PETER said she lives in Fairbanks and is Neets'aii Gwich'in and Navajo. She expressed her belief that not all Alaskans support oil drilling, especially in ANWR. Ms. Peter said oil is not bad, but through its extraction humans destroy the world, cause climate change, and hurt the land, which is bad. In the future she wants there to be caribou, moose, salmon, ducks, and blueberries that have supplied people with food and energy for generations; however, opening ANWR for drilling will disturb wildlife, the Porcupine Caribou Herd may be forced to find new birthing grounds, and the amount of salmon may be decreased. In addition, plants may become polluted which will diminish Native food sources thus ANWR should be protected. Ms. Peter went to Arctic Village with her family and wants to go again to see the beauty and eat Native foods. She said this is her future. In response to Co-Chair Josephson, she said she is 12 years old and goes to middle school in Fairbanks. 7:32:45 PM MATT GILBERT said he is Gwich'in Athabascan and is self- employed. He has a master's degree in rural development and is speaking from an economic point of view and from his Gwich'in culture worldview. He has learned the legislature gives up to a $500 million tax credit to oil companies just for drilling. In addition, oil companies make more from Alaska wellheads than from those in other countries - a 30 percent return - which he compared to corporate welfare. Mr. Gilbert opined if the state stopped the aforementioned [corporate welfare], it wouldn't need to develop ANWR. Also, climate change is worsening, and continuing the use of fossil fuels is suicidal; he urged for diversification and suggested the use of federal grants for renewable energy. 7:35:06 PM ENEI PETER said she is Navajo and (indisc.) and the mother of three Gwich'in Alaska Native daughters. She asked the committee to oppose HJR 5 because disturbing the refuge would be an affront to the Gwich'in way of life and to the cultural and subsistence survival of Alaska Native people; further, the severity of climate change demands that resources remain in the ground in some places. Opening more places for development will prevent the U.S. from meeting its commitment to curb climate change. Ms. Peter said there are other ways to find new opportunities for the economy and for jobs; in fact, there is no other choice but to diversify the state's economy. The existing policies that encourage more oil and gas development are outdated, and are based on a history of colonization and corporate structures that were set up to profit from Native people. 7:37:37 PM LINDA DEFOLIART spoke in opposition to HJR 5. Although oil companies assure development can occur safely and with a small footprint, climate change is warming the Arctic ground bringing different conditions such as thawing, freezing, sinking, heaving, and melting, which are unknown conditions. She questioned how oil companies can guarantee safety following the many spills from drilling and transporting oil; in addition, the viewshed in the refuge is huge and equipment could been seen for miles. The original footprint for Prudhoe Bay was 2,100 acres and is now over 600,000 acres. If the current course continues, eventually there will be no more fossil fuel, and she opined Alaska needs to find long term fiscal stability from another source. Ms. DeFoliart urged for the committee to take the long view and save the refuge for its intrinsic value and sustainable renewable resources. 7:38:48 PM JUSTINA BEAGNYAM spoke in opposition to HJR 5. She said she moved from Texas last year to Alaska because it is the last great wilderness, and she wished to merge her education in business with a career in environmental policies. She read a quote [document not provided]. Ms. Beagnym pointed out ANWR is one of the last remaining intact ecosystems in the world with a rich and fragile habitat, heritage, and culture. Ms. Beagnyam agreed there is too much reliance on fossil fuels and urged for a transition to renewable energy with no new leases on any land, and further research into renewable energy, which would lead to a more diversified economy. 7:41:55 PM JENNA JONAS stated the coastal plain of ANWR is a special place to her as she works as a guide in summer and explores and hunts with a dog team in fall, winter, and spring. Her personal experience has shown ANWR is a lush and delicate ecosystem; further, over the past 10 years, she has studied this issue, "and how much the narrative is changing." Decisions made today will have repercussions far in the future due to Alaska's position in the global crisis of climate change. Alaskans take pride in their independence, the land, their management of fish and game, and their respect for Native cultures. Ms. Jonas opined drilling for oil in one of the world's last great ecosystems does not honor the aforementioned values or improve the lives of future generations. She encouraged the committee to recognize that the value of oil will increase as it becomes scarcer, to value the opinion of those who live in the region, and to consider the long term effects of its decision on future generations. 7:43:53 PM CHRISTINA EDWIN stated her hope is the legislature is based on the core ideology of respect, obligation to the community, and stewardship. Based on this core ideology, she said she was present for the public process and noted there are different visions for the future: some wish to drill in the Arctic and some do not. Ms. Edwin urged members of the committee to follow their core ideology and serve their community; her core ideology is to oppose the resolution. 7:46:19 PM KEITH SILVER spoke in support of HJR 5 and advised he does not work for an oil company. The issue under discussion addresses 0.5 of 1 percent of ANWR and can be compared to Point Thomson, which is nearby and is an example of oil development done right in a small development. Point Thomson has been developed with long reach drilling and stringent safety environmental standards, as has Alpine. Mr. Silver said 70 percent of Alaskans agree with developing ANWR, which should be their decision. Recently, 9,000 jobs have been lost mostly due to the lack of oil and gas development work. He observed the 1002 area is about 150 miles north of Arctic Village over a mountain range, and the land has multiple uses. He urged for passage of the resolution in order to put oil in the pipeline and people to work. 7:48:24 PM MISTY NICKOLI said she is a lifelong Alaskan from Fairbanks. She read a quote [document not provided]. Ms. Nickoli said she and others have met with numerous legislators who have expressed the following: 1.) a desire to maintain the Alaska way of life and its ecosystems; 2.) frustration that "big oil" spent money from Permanent Fund Dividends (PFDs) instead of risking their tax subsidies; 3.) support of the economy by big oil is overshadowed by the fact the state does not profit, but pays out $319 million annually to big oil for mostly out-of-state workers, and Alaskan employees are the first to be laid off. Further, many legislators indicated an unwillingness to contest the refuge as that would mean political suicide. Ms. Nickoli said anti-Alaska policies cannot be conducted in shadow, and it is past time for legislators and Alaskans to develop sustainable industries and to stop the welfare system provided to big oil. 7:52:18 PM KERI PETERSON spoke against the bill. Her personal experience from spending a lot of time in the refuge is that it is not a wasteland, unlike what politicians and the oil companies say. She said she was happy that about 150 years ago, others had the foresight to preserve Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and other national parks, and ANWR is more wild and special. She worked at Prudhoe Bay, which is the opposite of wilderness, and it would be criminal to put this type of development in a pristine wilderness; in fact, there is no true wilderness left in the Lower 48, and now that it is known the earth is finite, existing intact wildlife systems should be preserved. The entire refuge, including the 1002 area, is critical habitat for wildlife, and its loss would be devastating, especially to the caribou and the Gwich'in people. If the refuge is not drilled, it will still exist after the oil is gone, which is important for tourism. 7:54:10 PM ODIN MILLER said according to a 2010 estimate, 95 percent of the food Alaskans eat is imported [document not provided]. Although Alaskans pride themselves on self-reliance, the state is vulnerable to disruptions in its food pipeline, such as after [the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001]. A large portion of the 5 percent of local and wild food sources comes from salmon, salmonberries, and caribou, which are depended upon by indigenous rural Alaskans. Mr. Miller said he is a lifelong Alaskan and is an anthropology student studying human/reindeer/caribou interactions in Northwest Alaska. Caribou are facing challenges from climate change and have disappeared from parts of the circumpolar North, and caribou as a food source cannot be replaced. He questioned whether one can trust a presidential administration that is going to dismantle existing environmental regulations, to conduct responsible environmental impact studies in ANWR. 7:56:57 PM REPRESENTATIVE RAUSCHER asked to call for the question. CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON said there is no question. REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON offered to make a motion to move [the resolution] out of committee. CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON said, "I would decline that, if I can." REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON opined a vote on her request is needed. 7:57:32 PM The committee took an at ease from 7:57 p.m. to 8:25 p.m. 8:25:36 PM REPRESENTATIVE JOHNSON removed [her request to make a motion]. CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON, stating there was no objection, continued public testimony. 8:26:01 PM SAM ALEXANDER spoke in opposition to HJR 5. He stated he is a Gwich'in from Fort Yukon and a lifelong Alaskan who is tired of seeing Alaska kick the can of fiscal responsibility down the road. For 40 years oil fields have bestowed immense wealth upon the state, but the state remains addicted to oil and more revenue, and willing to gamble its children's birthright to a truly wild and natural world. As a veteran serving in Iraq, he saw the waste and death the effect of greed for oil had on the Iraqi people. The same oil companies are destroying Alaska and do not have a long term interest in the state, except to make money. Mr. Alexander advised drilling for oil will not provide national security; in fact, oil development contributes to peril by causing climate change and emitting greenhouse gasses. He urged the committee to stop gambling with the future of Alaska. 8:27:37 PM JESSICA GIRARD stated she is a disabled combat veteran who served twice in Iraq. She said the addiction to oil sent her to Iraq, and she has been fighting against the addiction ever since. The answer to security is to "transition" so wars are not fought over oil, and refugees will not need to come from other states to untainted places. Alaska has immense resources and a culture that provides depth and essence to the land. Ms. Girard served in the military for the diversity of culture and said the Gwich'in cannot be separated from the caribou they depend upon, or from the land which is theirs. 8:29:42 PM MICHELLE TOOHEY stated she is one of the 70 percent of Alaskans who support opening exploration and production of oil and gas in the small portion known as the 1002 area of ANWR. The percentage of 70 percent support comes from polls conducted in 2016 which also showed support has been consistent since the 1990s. Strong support should not be a surprise as the 1002 area was intentionally set aside from being designated wilderness as part of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act; in fact, 19 million acres is federally designated wilderness and 92 percent of the refuge is closed for development. Ms. Toohey opined showing Congress that Alaskans support the resolution is a must. She recommended the resolution move through the process as quickly as possible in order to inform Congress that Alaskans firmly stand behind oil and gas development in ANWR. 8:31:38 PM MELINDA CHASE, spokesperson, Fairbanks Climate Coalition, said she strongly believes fossil fuel should be left in the ground because Interior Alaska is experiencing an increasingly warming climate. Last year in the Interior, there were four deaths related to open water and two of the victims had traditional knowledge of the land; however, the weather has become variable. She urged for the committee to look beyond Alaska to the environment of the world, and advance Alaska to a more just economy, as children need the land. Ms. Chase referred to national plans to keep the atmosphere clear. As the only Arctic state in the nation, Alaska has a responsibility to its children and the nation, and she urged that the resolution not pass, and for members of the committee to educate themselves on the changing climate and its effects on Alaska. 8:34:39 PM SHANNON BUSBY said she was speaking in opposition to HJR 5. The practice of assigning numbers to places distances one from a sense of place. The beautiful coastal plain and ANWR are beautiful places to be left untouched. 8:35:33 PM BARBARA HUFF TUCKESS, Director, Legislative Affairs, Teamsters Local 959, spoke in support of the committee substitute (CS) for HJR 5. Teamsters Local 959 represents approximately 7,000 members working in industries except for fish, and represents members who work in the oil and gas industry. The opportunity for Congress to open the 1002 area and ANWR would create additional jobs as well as put additional barrels of oil in the pipeline. She directed attention to her written testimony provided in the committee packet. 8:37:16 PM KIM HEACOX said he was opposed to HJR 5. He is a contract writer with National Geographic who has lived in Alaska for 35 years, and has visited the coastal plain of ANWR which he found to be a beautiful and compelling place. Mr. Heacox opined wild, natural beauty is essential to one's mental and spiritual health and inspires one to care for the planet. He read a quote [document not provided]. Although burning oil has brought wealth, it would be a poor decision to drill for oil and gas in the 1002 area, which is the biological heart of ANWR. He read another quote [document not provided]. Science warns if 20 percent of known oil reserves in the world are burned, the global environment and the geopolitical sphere will be destabilized and condemn future generations to a diminished quality of life. However, the GOP in Congress refuses to acknowledge human-caused climate change. He read another quote [document not provided]. Mr. Heacox has heard fears that the fossil fuel economy is becoming immoral, in a manner similar to 200 years ago in the Old South, when its economy was based on slavery. He concluded drilling for oil is an economic narcotic and a short term solution to a long term problem, and suggested the clean energy revolution is waiting. 8:40:35 PM JEANINE ST. JOHN said she was representing the Lynden family of transportation and logistics companies, which is a multimodal transportation company providing transportation links that bring essential goods and services to Alaska, and transporting Alaska products to world markets for over 100 years, and she further described Lynden companies' services. Ms. St. John said Alaska is a resource state and all benefit from a healthful economy; Alaskans rely on the ability to develop resources whether they are fish, minerals, oil and gas, and Alaska's robust economy is based on the ability to produce resources. She said Lynden's support of the development of the 1002 area is based on history that development of energy resources can be accomplished in an environmentally safe manner. She stated concern about the recession and the budget deficit and, on behalf of Lynden and its over 900 Alaska employees, urged support for HJR 5. 8:42:48 PM SARAH JAMES said she against HJR 5 and grew up in the Arctic Village area where she and her family hunt, fish, and gather in a remote village and live a good life. She is proud Gwich'in Athabascan Alaskan, and (indisc.) Indian, an elder, and she respects elders of the past. She said she was speaking on behalf of the Gwich'in nation, and she was one of four chosen to speak for her nation, for the caribou, and her way of life. In Arctic Village in 1988, there was a rebirth of the Gwich'in nation after it was divided by the U.S. and Canada border. Before first contact, the coastal plain of ANWR was the birthplace of the Porcupine Caribou Herd and was not threatened by oil and gas development. Since then, the Gwich'in nation fought hard with others and won battles without compromise to say "no" to oil and gas. Ms. James stated 75 percent of her food is wild meat, mostly caribou, which also provides materials for clothing, arts and crafts, and tools. She further described life and a culture focused on caribou, and urged the committee to permanently protect the coastal plain of ANWR, which is a sacred place. 8:47:02 PM ELLA EDE said she is one of thousands of Alaskans who have been laid off due to industry layoffs in the past few years. She said she was proud of having worked in the industry for over 25 years in the environmental field and stakeholder relations, and helping the industry responsibly develop the North Slope. Ms. Ede questioned why anyone would oppose the resolution, and expressed her support of HJR 5 on behalf of her husband and four children. She said she hopes her children will be able to live in Alaska and earn a living wage. Her entire family is in support of opening ANWR and continuing to develop resources, which is mandated by the state constitution, the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and Native corporations. Ms. Ede said she was not paid to testify, but felt it was important to speak on behalf of the resolution. 8:49:33 PM MICHELLE EGAN said she was speaking on behalf of the Alyeska Pipeline Service Company (Alyeska) in support of HJR 5. Expanded access to responsible development of oil and natural gas resources on the North Slope is vitally important to national energy security, job prosperity, the Alaska economy, and the future of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS). The ongoing success of the pipeline system is dependent upon healthy levels of Alaska crude oil production; in fact, TAPS once delivered 2,100,000 barrels of oil per day, but in 2016, after the first throughput increase since 2002, delivery averaged 517,000 barrels per day. Although Alyeska can respond, the lesser flow creates long term challenges that will grow in difficulty if the decline trend continues. The most effective solution is to deliver more oil into TAPS from the North Slope. Ms. Egan said Alyeska strongly supports responsible exploration efforts that result in increased throughput into TAPS, including the 1002 area of ANWR. 8:51:49 PM CARL PORTMAN, Deputy Director, Resource Development Council (RDC), informed the committee RDC strongly supports HJR 5 and has consistently supported the opening of the 1002 area of ANWR to oil and gas development. According to a study, oil and development in ANWR could increase domestic production from 510,000 to nearly 1,500,000 barrels per day for approximately 12 years, saving the nation billions of dollars in imported oil, creating thousands of new job, refilling TAPS and generating new state and federal revenue. He said the 1002 area is the most prospective conventional onshore prospect in the country, holding an estimated 5.7 [billion] to 16 billion barrels of technically recoverable oil. Not one acre of designated wilderness would be disturbed by opening the 1002 area due to advances in technology; it is possible to develop the energy reserves inside ANWR using only a fraction of the area and without significant disturbance to wildlife. He concluded that the 1002 area of ANWR should be open to exploration and development for national security and the Alaska economy, because the Arctic outer continental shelf (OCS) is not available, and RDC strongly urges for the passage of HJR 5. 8:54:00 PM CAROLYN KREMERS said she has lived in Alaska for thirty years and served in Russia for two years as a U.S. Fulbright Scholar. In 1999, she began writing a poem which she submitted as her testimony in opposition to HJR 5. She read from the poem in part [document not provided]. 8:56:44 PM JAMES SQUYRES recommended a book on ANWR and spoke in support of HJR 5. He urged for the bill to move from committee. 8:57:38 PM JOHN HYDE spoke in opposition to the bill. He questioned how much the oil in the 1002 area is worth, in order to define whether it is worth the risk of destroying what exists there. He observed most wildlife refuges and national parks have a buffer zone surrounding them, but ANWR has none, and wildlife does not adhere to boundaries. In his experience working for the Alaska Department of Fish & Game, he learned safety cannot be guaranteed; for example, shortly after the [Exxon Valdez oil spill of 3/24/28], he witnessed what was caused by human error, and all errors cannot be prevented. 9:00:04 PM CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON closed public testimony. REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH directed attention to a letter provided in the committee packet from Governor Walker that indicated the governor's support for HJR 5. He questioned whether comments from Representative Westlake's staff should be heard at this time. CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON expressed his confidence that Representative Westlake supports moving the resolution from committee. REPRESENTATIVE BIRCH encouraged a yes vote on the resolution. CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON addressed the witnesses in the room who testified about their concerns, and opined their concerns are not wrong in their "long view" of [environmental impacts to the planet]; however, the state needs revenue, which is also an important factor. 9:02:57 PM The committee took a brief at ease. CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON announced public testimony was reopened. 9:05:08 PM KRISTINA OLESKA (indisc.) said she does not want the resolution to pass. Her community of Sutton has experienced what happens when the fossil fuel industry destroys habitat; Moose Creek is a place that has taken millions of dollars, work by the community, and decades, to return to "a fraction of what it was in the past." She pointed out the oil and gas industry has a poor record of placing the health and safety of people and the environment over that of its profits. In Alaska, the Exxon Valdez oil spill affected the economy through the losses in commercial fishing, recreation, and tourism. She opined there is a need for the state to stop giving [disasters] a chance. The former chief executive officer of the company responsible for the Exxon Valdez spill is now the Secretary of State, and she does not trust him or the federal administration to protect the lives of Alaskans, thus it is now up to the committee. She referred to recent oil spills and other disasters and opined the state cannot afford to clean up after industry - putting the burden on the younger generation - and she urged the committee to not pass the resolution. 9:07:49 PM CO-CHAIR JOSEPHSON closed public testimony. 9:08:05 PM CO-CHAIR TARR said she shares concerns and the sense of urgency about climate change; however, the state's current revenue situation is very resource dependent. She recalled during former Governor Sarah Palin's administration there was a statewide energy plan coordinator and a climate change subcabinet, and cautioned the state has missed opportunities without those positions in place. Co-Chair Tarr expressed her hope the current administration will reconvene the subcabinet, and spoke of relevant legislation that will come before the committee. The committee seeks to support environmentally responsible development, to meet the state's energy needs, and to share concerns about the urgency of climate change action. 9:10:10 PM CO-CHAIR TARR moved to report [CSHJR 5(AET)] out of committee with individual recommendations and the attached zero fiscal note. CO-CHAIR TARR objected. 9:10:39 PM A roll call vote was taken. Representatives Birch, Johnson, Rauscher, Talerico, Drummond, Parish, and Josephson voted in favor of CSHJR 5(AET). Representative Tarr voted against it. Therefore, CSHJR 5 (AET) was reported out of the House Resources Standing Committee by a vote of 7-1.