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March
17, 2005
The Yukon Chamber
of Commerce expresses mixed feelings about
the recent news that the US Senate determined
to disallow a filibuster against drilling
in the ANWR in the upcoming budget.
YCC Chair Rob
Harvey encourages the oil and gas developers
interested in drilling in the Alaska Natural
Wildlife Refuge, as well as US and Alaskan
regulators, to utilize and maximize the Traditional
Knowledge of First Nations peoples on both
sides of the border prior to initiating actual
programs.
"We understand
the position of the Vuntut Gwitchin First
Nation, and hope that they are able to achieve
environmental as well as economic development
gains through their continued diligence of
the potential international impacts of drilling
in the ANWR. We believe that they, and their
Alaskan cousins should be stewards and significant
beneficiaries should drilling in the ANWR
really happen."
"Economic
gains for existing Yukon businesses would
be indirect for the most part. There are
some firms and individuals who may benefit
directly, but most of us would not be on
site at all. Yukon Business opportunities
that would arise may include a number of
down-stream projects, such as the Alaska
Highway Natural Gas Pipeline Project. While
ANWR is principally oil related, natural
gas is a significant by-product, and managing
that natural gas will certainly add incentive
and pressure to finally proceed with the
gas pipeline."
The US Senate's
Energy Committee still has to develop ANWR
related legislation for the Senate budget
reconciliation process, so it is not a done
deal.
– 30 –
Rob Harvey, Chair
Yukon Chamber of Commerce
667-2000 |
Sandy Babcock, President
Yukon Chamber of Commerce
667-2000 |
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