Regional Priorities - Oil and Gas

Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.

View the Updated Region 10 Environmental Strategy
Alaska

Our Goal: To address energy issues in a manner which protects public health and the environment; streamlines the permitting of exploration, extraction, and transportation of oil and gas resources in Alaska; and allows for consultation with tribal governments and other entities.

Background
Oil and gas exploration and development in Alaska is increasing significantly in an attempt to meet national energy needs, and it is expanding beyond the traditional geographic areas most commonly developed. This expansion has raised concerns about potential degradation of the Arctic and Sub-Arctic environments. Additionally, tribal subsistence activities may be at risk, and trust responsibilities of the federal government to the tribes require government-to-government consultation.

The Focus of Our Efforts

NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) Review and/or Preparation (as Lead Agency) of Environmental Impact Statements
NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) Permitting
UIC (Underground Injection Control) Compliance and Enforcement
New Air Source Permitting on the Outer Continental Shelf
Wetlands and Ocean Disposal
Government-to-government consultation with Tribes

From the Regional Administrator
Introduction

Priorities

Adobe Acrobat Version
From the Regional Administrator (52k)
Introduction (111k)

Coeur dAlene (226k)
Columbia River (365k)
Oil and Gas (440k)
Contaminated Site Clean-up (103k)
Tribal Environmental Health (142k)
Fine Particulates - Smoke & Diesel (545k)

North Slope Crude Oil Production Facility, Courtesy of Joint Pipeline Office, Alaska

Environmental Outcomes by 2007

High quality habitat for protected marine mammals and threatened and endangered species is maintained.
Viability and success of subsistence food gathering is maintained.
High quality of watersheds and airsheds is maintained.
The overall environmental impact from exploration and development of oil and gas reserves is reduced.

North Slope Drill Rig, Courtesy of Joint Pipeline Office, Alaska

Environmental Indicators for Measuring Success

Quality of habitat for protected marine mammals and threatened and endangered species
Viability and success of subsistence food gathering (primarily hunting, fishing and whaling)
Quality of watersheds and airsheds
Time spent reviewing and permitting oil and gas exploration and development activities
Environmental impact of oil and gas exploration and development activities

Alaska Oil & Gas Areas: North Slope (NPR-A and ANWR,), Cook Inlet & the Trans Alaska Pipeline
Alaska Oil and Gas Areas

Key Actions: Next 1-2 Years

Create an internal EPA team to coordinate and expedite environmental review and permitting of oil and gas exploration and development activities
Establish Oil & Gas Streamlining Task Force
- identify environmental priorities and opportunities to streamline permitting processes
Implement findings from Cumulative Effects of North Slope Oil and Gas Development Study
Develop Alaska-based interagency team to assess and address environmental justice issues.

Regional Priorities - Oil and Gas

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