Donlin promises economic development if mine goes through
Krysti Shallenberger, Alaska’s Energy Desk, April 9, 2019
Donlin Gold says that it will bring money and jobs to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta with its proposed mine. The company wants to build one of the biggest gold mines in the world, and it promises to employ hundreds of local people to build and operate it. The mine will bring 3,000 jobs to the region during construction, and 800 jobs annually to operate it. The total payroll is $375 million for the construction phase of the mine which, according to Donlin spokeswoman Kristina Woolston, would last roughly four years. The Kuskokwim Corporation, a village corporation, and Calista Corporation own the land and mineral rights, and leased them to Donlin Gold two decades ago. In return, Donlin promised that their shareholders will get preference for jobs.
Trump energy orders to target development snags
Argus, April 9, 2019
President Donald Trump is set to release two directives designed to ease state restrictions on energy projects and avoid “unnecessary red tape” that delays oil and gas production. The two executive orders, which Trump is set to announce tomorrow at an engineering training facility near Houston, will attempt to streamline permitting and encourage investment, a White House official said. The new initiative could help address growing industry concern that permitting delays for pipelines serving Marcellus shale gas producers and the Permian basin have become a key bottleneck to Trump’s push to expand oil and gas production.
Our Take: “industry officials anticipate it could try to limit the circumstances under which states can use “section 401″ water permits to block pipeline construction.” This is great news for Alaska and America, and let’s not forget the lawyers. Headlamp expects numerous lawsuits to be filed immediately.
From the Washington Examiner Daily on Energy:
SENATOR DOES FOR COAL WHAT TRUMP DID FOR OIL: Sen. Steve Daines, R-Mont., wants to codify Trump’s executive orders to stop states from blocking energy projects into law.
Daines introduced a bill on Tuesday that clarifies that Section 401 of the Clean Water Act “cannot be used as a weapon” to prohibit his state, or any other, from exporting coal to Asia, according to his office.
Daines had introduced the bill last year to clear the way for the construction of the Millennium Bulk Terminal to increase Montana coal exports.
“Montana has the opportunity to help keep the U.S. energy dominant and expand our economic opportunities through trade,” Daines said.
