Parnell: Feds Forcing Reliance on Foreign Oil

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Gov. Sean Parnell was in Washington, D.C. Friday to deliver a warning that federal authorities are causing greater U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

During a speech at the National Press Club, Parnell said the policies of the Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency are affecting foreign policy, because of what he called overreaching policies and regulations relating to U.S. oil resources.

Parnell said there needs to be a shift to give states like Alaska greater access to develop their resources and strengthen the nation’s energy independence.

“Gasoline prices at the pump are surging,” Parnell said. “Think about the cost of goods bought and sold by Americans -- they'll be going up as transportation costs increase. This is the moment our government must examine its no-to-new-wells policy.”

Parnell says by importing more than 63 percent of its oil, the U.S. has allowed itself to become more vulnerable to unrest in the Middle East and North Africa.

Meanwhile, federal agencies have repeatedly expressed that they're  being more cautious with U.S. oil development, especially after the Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, to make sure projects are environmentally sound.

Contact Maria Downey at mdowney@ktuu.com