Good morning everyone. The committee will come due order we need to have to consider opening a very small portion of the area in alaska for Energy Development with the 1 billion project reconciliation we received last week. The area is 1. 57 million acres of land in northeastern alaska within the non wilderness portion of anwr. So to put this in context of with the areas were talking about anwr itself is 19 million acres approximately the size of south carolina, the non wilderness area is 1002 1. 5 million acres approximately the size of delaware and this area is designated as federal wilderness so talk about anbar itself is important to recognize there are parts of and what are that are designated imports that are within the refuge in the of parts of anwr 1002 area that have been designated for consideration for our oil and gas exploration. 1002 area is not federal wilderness. Congress recognizes the value of anwr with a designated 7 million acres over this area here. That is the area that is protected and will not and cannot be touched for the coastal plains is separate from the wilderness. The size of delaware in the size of a refuge in the size of carolina and what theyre asking for is to develop 2,000 federal acres which is 1,110,000 of anwr so we should also understand the economic benefits are substantial National Security will be strengthened and the environmental impacts are known so to create thousands of new jobs to pay those wages that support families and putting kids through colleges. To generate substantial revenue tens of billions of dollars over the life of the fuels and there is a discussion as to whether or not we can meet that construction and the answer is yes i would remind the committee the first 10 years are just the start of a 40 year period of responsible production raises billions of dollars in revenue for our country every year. The Congressional Research service said the treasury could depending on prices and resources, could raise anywhere between 48 billion through 296 billion over three years. So bear in mind that is new wealth and prosperity not recreated or redirected or repurchased those revenues will directly girl to our debt while continuing those growth conditions on a greater scale. Opening a the 1002 area will keep quayle affordable we have forgot what it is like to pay 4 for a gallon of gas and prices are moderate but we know they dont necessarily stay that way so we need to take steps to plan for though longterm and do that now to keep Energy Prices affordable. With the International Agency girl will oil supplies struggling to keep pace with demand risking a sharp increase of prices on most projects are approved. Some will argue were doing just fine in producing more to turn attention to other matters but that is a mistake to have a significant wealth imported into the future so to set aside those shorterterm concerns even the more cautious forecast projects that oil prices will be back about 100 per barrel by 2040. Is also misleading to suggest the benefits of opening the 1002 area happens all at once in the near term lease siva benefits over decades not just the 10 year budget window. We talk about where we were in 1995 when Congress Passed anwr and clinton vetoed to open the 1002 area in 1995 so think about where we would have spent had that action not taken place . Who wouldnt see a dramatic runup of oil prices intent to thousand or california would not be importing oil from abroad but that is what has happened as supply from alaska has declined. No question opening the 1002 area area is for the economy to be just as confident those new technologies in place coming on line will insure that responsible development does not harm the environment. Between the 70s and today it has decreased by 80 percent and several witnesses will speak directly to that but put that in context what was a pad now is 12 acres or less and belowground that extended reach close to an area of 125 square miles by 2020. That is an increase of 4,000 percent since we began Oil Exploration and production in the 70s. Development is always raised concerns of wildlife and the environment but i would remind everyone because alaskans have been so careful with Development Impact has been proven wrong so now most of the roads leave the impact on the tundra development follows thousands of regulatory requirements and best practices. The inventory and assess wildlife and steady the habitat to avoid any sensitive places. The central arctic caribou herd which lives in and around the bay increased from 3,000 animals in 1969 prior to development up of 5,000 when Development Began in earnest 1974 and 22,000 animals just this last year it is now more than seven times larger than when Development Began. That may surprise some to learn were developing energy just outside of anwr the my colleagues know very well located on state highway and just 2 miles from the border of the 1002 area. The project is carried out responsibly and not harming the wildlife across the invisible western boundary of the refuge despite the claims we hear. For over 40 years alaskans have repeatedly proven we can develop safely and responsibly and development in that 1002 area is no different we will not harm the caravel that move through the area or the program airs the nesting areas of the birds could be protected or any other wildlife. Leer sensitive to a the habitats in the region and alaskans understand this and this is why savvy offset of us support open the 1002 area to responsible development and acutely aware of state needs this right now we have the highest unemploymunemploym ent rates in the country with massive budget deficits and trans Alaska Pipeline system the economic backbone is only onequarter full. Rigo fatah at the opening of a 1002 area is not an immediate cure but we also know it is something we have to do today because the benefits of development will take time to fully realize. The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago the second best time is now and we need to take the first up to realize the benefits boeing for word pro i was born in alaska we have raised our boys there and i hope they lead to long and healthy lives in a place that is so beautiful and gorgeous it takes your breath away. What i know no one cares more for our last as those as us that raise a rare families there will of the state and respect to the land would never risk the future for the sake of development but we realize that is not the case. The 1002 area was created by a congressional compromise. Renewed the future were require another and to date we are asking just africa not developing all of the 1002 area but instead instead, 2,000 acres a durable and 10,000 of the refuge waiting for the right technology to come along so that footprint of development is small enough to venture the environment continues to be respected and will not be harmed it is not a choice between energy and the environment. Were past that we have a great lineup of witnesses to help the committee understand that the entire alaska delegation congressman, the governor, senator, a Lieutenant Governor and alaskans who live on the north slope we look forward to a drexel and informative hearing. Senator cantwell i welcome your remarks. Welcomed the governor and our colleagues prices start by saying this hearing is a great departure from the strong working relationship that we have set to Work Together on the Energy Agenda moving the country forward it is too bad we are arguing resources to force house colleagues to reconsider the importuned. That has over 100 priorities to move the country forward from cybersecurity to Energy Efficiency i also did not support the makeup of the panel the new colleagues who do not support opening up anwr senators marquee was not allowed to be part of the panel also we should have more witnesses from Indian Country even corporations that are charged with the Economic Development but individual tribal members as we have seen dont support this kind of development they believe in the of wildlife and nature god has given us and we are stewards of mother earth. I thank them for their Strong Spiritual beliefs. So we are here today because somebody has come up with a ludicrous idea to pass a tax reform bill to raise the deficit to increase taxes to take a sliver out of the of wildlife refuge to do that the animals went to college caribou for a millionaires it is the most ridiculous idea i have never heard. So i do not like the setup of the panel i am always glad to hear from the governor and our colleagues but others should have had their voices heard in an indian countries should have been better represented we have newbold and embark upon wednesday when will we see that language or have any idea about the process . I am disturbed i could go with the direction to say we dont have to worry because some of the press reports from bloomberg that says it does not have any Promising Oil bearing rock formations and garrison the great interest to develop the arctic wildlife refuge for pope one could have the attitude with the Trump Administration desire i am not sure where they dont want to drill but with a 1. 7 billion acres from the outer Continental Shelf i find it hard to believe there is that economic incentive to drill in the anwr but why put in sex on something that is so unique . When i researched why be got to this point and heard the people that made their case to the Eisenhower Administration, of the of the unanimous be preserved as the original fragment of our past, the last opportunity to protect the heart of the continent as it once was. Because it was a spiritual place the arctic wildlife refuge and also an area left undisturbed by meehan that was the of last laboratory that plants and animals and where they live as they have always lived is preserved. That is why we got to the point in what is unique and wife of the Eisenhower Administration through today we have fought to protect it. Is the last is the economy of concern . Yes. Do we in the pacific northwest, one of the first things i said lets talk about why the natural gas pipeline has a bigger Economic Impact they and this. There are issues we need to be mindful moving forward but said this idea is not new or better nothing has changed. Note new science we dont have to worry about wildlife. There is no new science that says well development will take up a smaller footprint. The math basically shows the development will take up a significant portion of the of refuge so a the notion that of wildlife cannot exist in this environment is wrong leg forward asking them how they can exist together so we could forward to seeing those answers. Also the uniqueness of this area has entered into the international agreement. The caribou population is so unique and specific entering into an agreement with canada. So the notion we can move forward and the revenue for the tax bill of but we dont even move forward on is just not the way we should be proceeding. Even though we dont agree with the process was to get those 51 votes were never stopping to try to do protect the wildlife refuge to work with the Indigenous People whod support at that idea. I appreciate not only the delegation is alaskan visitors that have joined us by our colleagues and congressmen young who has more representatives further 45 years, going on 40 sex the panel is a rounded up by our governor that has been in office three years as a lifelong resident with great leadership. That is true he is the independent talking about the political affiliations that that is noted for a the record if you would like to lead off. All of my colleagues with this very important issue many have claimed to be protectors of the environment and with all due respect with my colleagues today there are three people in congress who care more about alaska is environment than anyone else of the entire room body. Some of the discussion of the 1002 area is the debate has not kept up with the standards the highest in the world with investments of technology. So a lot has changed. To developing the 1002 area is a win win win for the country to create jobs and increase Energy Security for americans and very importantly protect the Global Environment and alaska has the environment for a responsible Arctic Resource Development any place in the world for cry or shocked and i can tell you it is no impact exploration related to the incredible species. To have day 50 year record for a responsible Resource Development so no impact exploration on the north slope we only allow for exploration activities so companies are required to build i. C. E. Roads and pads to put the equipment and a the drill rigs. They have to leave prefer the winter and they literally melt with a zero impact on the tundra the only thing that is left is a cap well. As the chair pointed out we use these recently in the same ecosystem of that area debated right now with the development of the project see how close that is to the area of a minimal impact on the environment that is very small producing energy right now. For those in congress to shut down Resources Development never heard knowledge when you disallow investment with high standards in the world to protect the Global Environment you end up driving capital and jurisdictions but in some cases no Environmental Standards like nigeria and venezuela and iran. This brings me to read second point to introduce energy responsible of oil to make the United States with the Energy Superpower will dramatically strengthen National Security. I have also served as the assistant secretary of state with Security Issues and i have seen how that can be good for diplomacy also of the power grabs if we dont have to import energy so to export American Energy to the allies this helps nationalsecurity and Foreign Policy. We have record from military or civilian leaders democrats and republicans consistently have stated energy strengthen National Security and i know my friends have heard these consistently as well pergolas and just american officials but russians notice as well. Oh by to submit a recent New York Times article russia uses the oil giant as a Foreign Policy tool. Russia is increasingly yielding oil as a geopolitical tool to challenge the interest of the United States. With that anecdote from the halifax National Security forum with senator mccain meeting with a senior level russian dissident, what more can we do as a country to push back against the putin regime . He said the number one thing you could do is produce more American Energy. Opening the 1002 area using the highest Environmental Standards in the world will produce more American Energy they accuse. You have then threw a few debates and we welcome your comments. Are you sure . Madam chair thanks for having this hearing and members of the senate i dont feel too comfortable on the senate side i need a flashlight most of the time because most of the times it is pretty dark river here. I am one of the few people there is only one left that was here for this battle 42 years ago and this 1002 area was created by senator jackson and senator stevens with a really knowledgeable about what goes on so we recognize the value of loyal and the 1002 area so that footprint represents the state of alaska. Dc anything different right now . I am alaska up. What is onetenth of a percent . The map was drawn by the sierra club. That is all the information is a this little dots on my nose is what were talking about. I weighed 225 lbs. This little dots is the potential between 10 and 20 billion barrels of oil. This is the issue of National Security. Nationalsecurity. The one the day that we could have security for the nation as a whole and i was interested the live here nonsense stories throughout the day but those that opposed anwr to be say anything when they drilled 270 wells in the area . 270 drilled per day. What they cost every year putting back 400mile across the road to the say anything . It isnt about the environment for the caribou but economics. I am ashamed to be a candidate right now because most people dont know what theyre talking about robert understand the caribou herd that is what bothers me the most of the legislative process they used to be from senator jackson to Work Together we did not get involved in certain numbers districts if they were missed manufactured he did not do that though we had people say this is a great environmental area. Maybe there is a senate side i am not one of you i thought for it to 13 times. And president clinton on monday to a because it would not be the embargo that quickly. Think about that. To be energy sufficient and control those instances that congress recognizes when we passed the lands act so they knew the value of the oil and of the nation so now we fight the same battle because of the misinformation from those of us not having any Resources Development but to make us less strong and a second rate nation that is what you wish to do so does a house member and will pass this again a opinion of the courage to do what is right for this nation what is good for all the people of the future thanks for having this hearing would get this little dots on my nose. That is the 1002 area i dont think it changed my appearance very much because the propaganda by the environmental groups is a flat terrain set aside by this congress. Yield back. Congressman think you for being here. Good morning chairmen and ranking members firm being here today i am the governor of alaska and i and nonpartisan i have the goal as the future generations to have the same benefits growing up that i had. And also in the territory to receive many changes in the state. But that is thin dna. So that is how we earn income from development