AK HJR12

Urges United States Congress to pass legislation opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge coastal plain to oil and gas exploration, development, and production.

Asserts the coastal plain contains an estimated 10.4 billion barrels of recoverable oil and could reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil while creating jobs across all 50 states.

Notes the 1.5 million-acre development area would comprise only 8 percent of the 19 million-acre refuge and less than one-half of one percent of the coastal plain's actual development footprint.

Requires that any development use directional drilling technology and environmental safeguards to protect caribou herds and wildlife, and maximize use of Alaska's workforce.

Opposes any reduction in Alaska's royalty revenue from Arctic National Wildlife Refuge development and any reduction below the 90 percent of oil, gas, and mineral royalties promised to the state at statehood.