Alaska is a “resource state”

Think About It…… November 16, 2011
Alaska is a “resource state” and we as Alaskans must be very careful when we agree to say “no” to the development of any of our natural resources. For the sake of all Alaskans and our children we need to be very careful indeed.
The proposed Pebble Mine holds more than 80 billion pounds of copper, 5.6 billion pounds of Molybdenum, over 10 million ounces of gold and huge amounts of silver and palladium. When authorized for development the mine will provide 2000 construction jobs for over two years and more than 1000 highly skilled, high wage operational jobs plus a multitude of business opportunities. The Pebble project would pump many millions of dollars in tax revenue into our State and Borough governments.
Meanwhile for over three years now environmental organizations from outside have poured millions of dollars into media campaigns trying to convince Alaskans that for one reason or another the mine should not ever be developed. As Alaskans, its time to throw out the lies, half truths and slanted ads and begin to have honest, mature and reasonable discussions about Pebble.
The Chuitna coal prospect is a proposal by PacRim Coal to build a large strip mine on the western side of Cook Inlet, near the communities of Tyonek and Beluga, where the Kenai Peninsula Borough has already build a large coal loading and docking facility. If built, the project is expected to employ around 350 Alaskans and provide almost $400 million in state and borough tax revenue each year for the next 25 years.
Once again extreme environmental organizations with lies and half truths are trying to convince Alaskans that our millions of tons of coal, waiting to be harvested in the Chuitna Coal Fields should be left in the ground forever. Now, they are even unfairly slamming our governor for wanting to take a reasonable position on the project. It’s time for we as Alaskans to begin having honest, mature and reasonable discussions about the harvest of Chuitna Coal.
The potential for development of natural resources across Alaska is simply huge and future economic benefits are potentially outstanding. Mining for coal, gold, silver, copper, zinc, molybdenum, oil and a host of other extremely valuable strategic minerals is very important because Alaska is a “resource state.” Our Alaskan economy depends on it.
Right now, any potential mining and other resource development and operations must undergo years of the most extensive environmental research, testing and studies in the world. The list of State and Federal agencies, which must decide if any mining proposal meets all of their environmental regulations is long, extensive and overwhelming.
It is time to begin honest, mature and reasonable discussions about all of these proposed Alaskan resource development projects. For Alaska’s economic future the safe and environmentally sound development of our natural resources is mandatory.
Think About It! JCD 11/16/2011