Article updated 6-24-09 - Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the ranking member on the Senate Energy Committee, along with Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) introduced the ANWR No Surface Occupancy Western Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act to utilize high-tech directional drilling methods to access partial ANWR reserves. The Senators' bill allows access to oil and gas formations so long as the surface footprint is not within the federally protected zone.
Anchorage – Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar held a hearing Tuesday May 14th in Anchorage Alaska on oil and gas leasing of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) by the Minerals Management Service. The hearing was held in a capacity filled Dena’ina Center and started with statements by Governor Palin, and members of the Alaska State Legislature who’s strongly recommended the Secretary support the continued development of Alaska’s OCS.