summary
Introduced
02/12/2015
02/12/2015
In Committee
02/12/2015
02/12/2015
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
01/03/2017
01/03/2017
Introduced Session
114th Congress
Bill Summary
Authorizing Alaska Production Act Authorizes the exploration, leasing, development, production, and economically feasible and prudent transportation of oil and gas in and from the Coastal Plain of Alaska. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish a competitive oil and gas leasing program for oil and gas exploration, development, and production on the Coastal Plain. Amends the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act to repeal the prohibition against production of oil and gas from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. States that, in connection with specified environmental protection laws, the Secretary shall neither: (1) identify nonleasing alternative courses of action, nor (2) analyze the environmental effects of those actions. Prohibits the Secretary from closing land within the Coastal Plain to oil and gas leasing, exploration, development, or production except in accordance with this Act. Directs the Secretary, within one year after the first lease sale is conducted under this Act, to conduct a second lease sale (and additional sales if sufficient interest in exploration or development exists). Prescribes procedures for lease sales and lease grants on the Coastal Plain that include the requirement that the standard for land reclamation be either: (1) a condition capable of supporting the uses that the land was capable of supporting before any exploration, development, or production activities; or (2) a higher or better standard, as approved by the Secretary, upon the lessee's application. Prescribes Coastal Plain environmental protection standards that require the Secretary to administer this Act: (1) using a no significant adverse effect standard to govern authorized Coastal Plain activities; (2) implementing site-specific assessment and mitigation measures; (3) promulgating regulations to protect coastal plain fish and wildlife resources, subsistence users, and the environment; (4) requiring compliance with federal and state environmental laws; and (5) ensuring that local residents have reasonable access to public land for traditional uses. Deems any rights-of-way or easements across the Coastal Plain for the exploration, development, production, or transportation of oil and gas to be established incident to the management of the Coastal Plain. Requires the Secretary to convey to: (1) the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation the surface estate of certain land, and (2) the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation the remaining subsurface estate to which that Corporation is entitled under a specified agreement. Establishes in the Treasury the Coastal Plain Local Government Impact Aid Assistance Fund to provide financial assistance to certain entities in Alaska directly impacted by oil or gas exploration or production on the Coastal Plain. Restricts the use of such financial assistance to specified purposes.
AI Summary
This bill, the Authorizing Alaska Production Act, would establish a program for the exploration, leasing, development, production, and transportation of oil and gas on Alaska's Coastal Plain, which is part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). It directs the Secretary of the Interior to create a competitive leasing program and repeals a previous prohibition on oil and gas production in ANWR. The bill specifies that environmental reviews will not consider alternative actions that do not involve leasing, and it restricts the Secretary's ability to close the Coastal Plain to oil and gas activities except as outlined in this Act. The bill mandates lease sales, including a second sale within a year of the first, and sets standards for land reclamation, requiring it to be restored to its pre-activity condition or better. Environmental protection standards are established, including a "no significant adverse effect" standard for authorized activities, site-specific assessments, and regulations to protect wildlife, subsistence users, and the environment, while ensuring compliance with federal and state laws and maintaining access for local residents' traditional uses. The bill also deems rights-of-way and easements for oil and gas activities as established incident to the management of the Coastal Plain, conveys certain land estates to the Kaktovik Inupiat Corporation and the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, and creates a fund to provide financial assistance to local governments and communities in Alaska impacted by oil and gas activities on the Coastal Plain, with restrictions on how these funds can be used.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (2)
Last Action
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S989) (on 02/12/2015)
Official Document
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