Document baer4zw9npq1beDjaQe70MLz0

Katharine Macgregor <kate macgregor@ios.doi.gov>. Vincent Devito <vincent devito@ios.doi.gov> Cc: Heather Swift <heather swift@,ios.doi.gov>. "Newell, Russell" <russell newell@ios.doi.gov> Hi all - Below please find BLM's draft release for the NPR-A oil and gas lease sale. It is set to publish on Thursday. Oct. 26 in the Federal Register. and be in the reading room on Wednesday (ie. will become public then). Micah is reaching out to the AK delegation to make them aware. Question -- should this be tied to the "Energy Burdens" report roll-out? If so. we could just include it in Wednesday's DOI release and BLM could send out what's below as a follow-on. Thanks. L Laura Keehner Rigas Communications Director U.S. Department of the Interior (202) 897 7022 cell @Interior BLM announces December 2017 NPR-A oil & gas lease sale ANCHORAGE-- In keeping with the Administration's goal of achieving American energy dominance. the Bureau of Land Management today announced in the Federal Register that it will hold an oil and gas lease sale in December within part of the 22.8-million-acre National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska (NPR-A) via video livestream. "The Department of the Interior will harness our nation's Arctic resources on public lands both onshore and offshore in order to ensure an energy-dominant future for the citizens of this great country." said U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. "Alaska has long been an energy powerhouse and is home to one of our greatest energy infrastructure projects the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS). The energy development that comes from lease sales in the NPR-A will ensure that TAPS continues to bring American energy to the people who need it long into the future." The December 6. 2017. sale will be the 13th in the NPR-A since 1999. and will include all available tracts (covering 10.3 million acres) for lease. This is the first time all 900 tracts have been offered for lease. These tracts were designated as available for development in the 2013 Record of Decision for the Integrated Activity Plan/Environmental Impact Statement for the NPR-A. "BLM Alaska is committed to supporting energy development while fostering responsible stewardship of the environment." said Karen Mouritsen. Acting State Director for BLM Alaska. This December lease sale and future lease sales in the NPR-A demonstrate this Administration's commitment to the long term energy strength and economic growth of the State of Alaska." There are currently 189 authorized leases in the NPR-A, covering more than 1,372,688 acres. Bids received for the 12 previous sales generated more than $280 million, half of which was paid to the State of Alaska. From Aug. 7 through Sept 6 of this year, the BLM sought public input and nominations on all tracts within the NPR-A. The BLM received numerous comments and nominations on tracts available and unavailable for leasing. In February 2015, the BLM issued the Record of Decision for the Greater Mooses Tooth 1 oil and gas development project, opening the way for the first production of oil and gas on public land in the NPR-A. A second, proposed development project within the reserve, called Greater Mooses Tooth 2, is currently under environmental review by the BLM. The upcoming oil and gas lease sales are competitive. A detailed statement of sale, including a description of the tracts offered for lease, the lease terms, conditions and special stipulations, and how and where to submit the sealed bids, will be available at https://on.doi.gov/2fgHGRq. Sealed bids must be received by 4 p.m. (AKST) on Dec. 4, at the BLM-Alaska State Office. The BLM will open sealed bids submitted on the tracts offered at 1 p.m. (AKST) on Dec. 6, and will livestream the opening of the bids at www.blm.gov/live.