AK HJR33

Mt. Redoubt volcanic eruptions beginning in September 2008, with an eruption cycle starting March 22, 2009, caused massive snow and glacial melt that flooded the Drift River and threatened the Drift River oil storage and transfer facility.

The Drift River terminal was shut down and oil storage tanks were drawn down to prevent potential oil discharge into Cook Inlet.

Prolonged closure of the Drift River terminal disrupts oil production at Cook Inlet platforms (Trading Bay and Granite Point facilities), the Tesoro refinery in Nikiski, and forces oil services industries to curtail operations and lay off workers.

The Alaska State Legislature urges the governor, Alaska Congressional delegation, and state and federal agencies to take immediate action to safely and responsibly restart oil production in Cook Inlet affected by the Mt. Redoubt eruption.

Copies of the resolution shall be sent to federal officials including President Obama, Secretary of Interior Ken Salazar, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, U.S. Senators Murkowski and Begich, U.S. Representative Don Young, and state commissioners.