Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 6285, a House Committee on Natural Resources bill that will support energy resource development in Alaska. House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) expressed his support for the bill by stating, "As President Biden continues to wage war on domestic energy production, House Republicans are fighting back with solutions to unleash our abundant natural resources. With this bipartisan bill, we’re reversing Biden's disastrous rule that would limit energy production in Alaska and putting Alaskan communities, tribes, and local leaders back in the driver’s seat."
The bill in question, H.R. 6285, also known as the Alaska's Right to Produce Act of 2023, was introduced by U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-Minn.). It aims to reverse two recent actions taken by the Biden administration. According to the bill, it would reinstate the previously issued Arctic National Wildlife Refuge leases, as required by law, and cancel the finalized National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska rule. This cancellation is crucial as it would effectively cut off development in the energy-rich region and dramatically impact a critical funding stream for local indigenous communities.
House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman concluded his statement by acknowledging his colleague, Congressman Stauber, saying, "I'd like to thank my colleague, Congressman Stauber, for his leadership on this important issue."
