Murkowski: Alaska will not be treated as a territory

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, has continued to push back against the “shortsighted, infuriating, and ongoing” actions being taken by the Obama administration to shut down development of Alaska’s vast oil and natural gas resources.

“When you look at it all together—between the recommended wilderness designations for ANWR and the Arctic offshore withdrawals—Alaska has lost more than 22 million acres of land and water where energy could be produced—just this week alone,” said Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Murkowski said that President Obama—who has never been to Alaska except to stop to refuel Air Force One on his way abroad—simply doesn’t grasp the impact these decisions will have on Alaska’s economic future.

“He’s happy to refuel Air Force One in Alaska, but he doesn’t seem to want that fuel to be produced in Alaska,” Murkowski said.

“My reaction has been quite strong. The reason is pretty obvious to anyone who takes a moment to think about it,” Murkowski continued. “I am amazed that our president can look at Alaska, and think this is what we need most right now. Alaska is not a territory and we will not be treated as one.”