ANCHORAGE – August 17, 2020 – Leadership at the Alaska Oil and Gas Association (AOGA) reacted to the Department of Interior’s announcement about holding lease sales within the 1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or ANWR.

“While the industry has been hard hit by the recent pandemic and low prices, it is critical that the government continue to meet its leasing obligations—such as the statutory mandate to carry out lease sales for ANWR—in order to support America’s oil and gas industry in meeting ongoing domestic and global demand,” said Kara Moriarty, AOGA president and CEO. “Development in a small fraction of ANWR has long been supported by Alaskans; especially by those who live in the region. Alaska’s oil and gas industry has a long history of safe and environmentally responsible development in the Arctic, and it will continue to deploy new technology and techniques to safely and responsibly develop any leased areas in ANWR. The biggest risk to producing in future areas in Alaska, regardless of this lease sale, is a ballot measure that would significantly raise taxes on production, including from future production in ANWR.”

AOGA is a professional trade association whose mission is to foster the long-term viability of the oil and gas industry in Alaska for the benefit of all Alaskans. More information about the organization can be found at www.aoga.org, on Facebook (AlaskaOilAndGas), Twitter (@AOGA), and Instagram (@alaskaoilgasassociation)

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