WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Senate Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and Coast Guard Subcommittee today convened a hearing on defending U.S. economic interests in the changing Arctic.  The hearing examined how the United States can better position itself to take advantage of emerging economic opportunities in the Arctic region and assess whether federal agencies are proactively positioning themselves to promote U.S. Arctic interests, and whether they have adequate capacity to meet their goals in the region.               

Witness List: 

Panel I

Admiral Robert J. Papp Jr., Commandant, United States Coast Guard

Rear Admiral David W. Titley, Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy, United States Navy

Ambassador David A. Balton, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State

Panel II

Mr. Peter Slaiby, Vice President, Alaska Venture, Shell Oil Company

Dr. Scott Borgerson, Senior Fellow, Institute for Global Maritime Studies

Dr. Andrew Metzger, Assistant Professor, University of Alaska-Fairbanks 

Key Quotations from Today’s Hearing:

“We have enduring national and strategic interests in both Polar Regions, but particularly in the Arctic Region where we have U.S. citizens and territory to protect.  Greater human activity in the Arctic will only increase the need for us to assert our presence and leadership in order to shape the evolving security, economic, scientific, and international political issues of the region.”  

Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV

“We need to make sure our nation is prepared to fulfill our responsibility and address the implications for national security, energy development, and increased marine shipping and tourism.  With increased energy development and maritime activity, our nation must ensure the Coast Guard has the capabilities to operate in Arctic waters to guard our borders, protect life, safety and the environment, and ensure safe commerce.”

Senator Mark Begich, Chairman, U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard

“The U.S. is an Arctic Nation, and the Coast Guard has been operating in the Arctic Ocean since Alaska was a territory to assist scientific exploration, chart the waters, provide humanitarian assistance to native tribes, conduct search and rescue, and law enforcement.  Today our mission remains remarkably similar to what it was in 1867; however, as open water continues to replace ice, human activity is increasing.  With increasingly navigable waters, comes increased Coast Guard responsibility.”

Admiral Robert J. Papp Jr., Commandant, United States Coast Guard

“The United States needs assured Arctic access to support national interests in the Arctic.  This access can be provided by a variety of proven capabilities, including submarines and aircraft, but only U.S.-flagged ice-capable ships provide visible U.S. sovereign maritime presence throughout the Arctic region.”

Rear Admiral David W. Titley, Oceanographer and Navigator of the Navy, United States Navy

“We could significantly advance our economic interests in the Arctic by joining the Law of the Sea Convention.  The Law of the Sea Convention provides the basic legal framework applicable to such activities, including the rules applicable to navigation, the determination of the outer limits of the continental shelf, fishing, environmental protection, and marine scientific research.  Unfortunately, the Convention remains a key piece of unfinished treaty business for the United States.”

Ambassador David A. Balton, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Fisheries, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State

“Let me be clear, Shell fully supports a robust permitting process.  Shell does not seek lower environmental standards for Arctic OCS activities or a less exhaustive public permitting process.  Such a process protects people and the environment and ensures safe and responsible operations.  The bar is high in the Arctic, and it should be.  Shell fully understands and supports this.  We are ready to proceed with an exploration program that does precisely that.”

Mr. Peter Slaiby, Vice President, Alaska Venture, Shell Oil Company

“America and Alaskans have a rare multigenerational opportunity of facing a relative blank canvas for Greenfield investments.  It would be a mistake to press ahead hastily and exploit the American Arctic with reckless abandon.  At the same time, it’s neither fair to Alaskans nor good for the country to use litigation and legislation to stonewall progress.  No other state would settle for being made into a theme park.  The uncertainty created by the absence of a comprehensive U.S. Arctic development strategy is an investment killer.”

Dr. Scott Borgerson, Senior Fellow, Institute for Global Maritime Studies

“Thinking long term, and in consideration of all stakeholders’ needs, it may be beneficial to pursue the question of marine infrastructure needs in terms of an Arctic Marine Transportation System.  While a single infrastructure asset will benefit one or more stakeholders, a well?planned system of civil infrastructure assets could potentially be even more beneficial to a wider set of stakeholders.  Defining such a system beforehand will surely result in more efficient use of resources than a system pieced together in a discretionary manner.”

Dr. Andrew Metzger, Assistant Professor, University of Alaska-Fairbanks

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