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Act Now for Cook Inlet’s Future Beyond Oil & Gas

by | Aug 31, 2022 | Climate Change, Energy & Alaska, Lease Sale 258, Oil & Gas

Since our last update, the Inflation Reduction Act passed, bringing with it a mandate to hold Lease Sale 258 in the federal waters of Lower Cook Inlet before the end […]

Since our last update, the Inflation Reduction Act passed, bringing with it a mandate to hold Lease Sale 258 in the federal waters of Lower Cook Inlet before the end of 2022. Although we can’t stop this unpopular sale from moving forward, Inletkeeper and partners will be monitoring the level of industry interest to push for mitigation measures. 

Earlier this summer, the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Management (BOEM) released its proposed Five Year Plan. The Biden Administration’s Five Year Plan for oil & gas leasing includes 11 lease sales, one in Lower Cook Inlet (Lease Sale 267 slated for 2026) and 10 in the Gulf of Mexico. The plan is required by law, but the Administration has made it clear that now is the time for Alaskans and Americans to speak up for our energy future. 

President Biden has committed to taking executive action to achieve climate goals. We’re not asking him to do anything that he hasn’t already committed to. This isn’t a radical suggestion: we’re asking Joe Biden to follow through on the commitments he made to protecting frontline communities, our health, and climate. 

Earlier this year, 93,000 Americans voiced their opposition to leasing in Lower Cook Inlet. Our collective efforts are better spent on local solutions and building the framework for our renewable energy future. That is why Inletkeeper’s petition calls on the Biden Administration to issue a presidential withdrawal, effectively removing the Lower Cook Inlet leasing area from all present and future Five Year Plans

BOEM’s virtual meetings are a great opportunity to voice support for a Five Year Plan with no new leases. The Five Year Plan will determine whether the Biden administration intends to keep its commitment to stopping new offshore oil and gas drilling and set the country on a path towards less toxic pollution and fewer climate disasters.

We want to ensure a vibrant and regenerative future for Cook Inlet. We can’t do that if our federal waters are sacrificed to oil and gas leasing every five years. Don’t miss this critical moment to speak up! Join us in calling on the Biden Administration to remove Lower Cook Inlet from all current and future Five Year Plans.

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