HR-1964 : Still Just a Bill


National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Access Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the National Petroleum Reserve (NPR) in Alaska remains explicitly designated to provide oil and natural gas resources to the United States, and (2) it is national policy to actively advance oil and gas development within the NPR.

Amends the Naval Petroleum Reserves Production Act of 1976 to require the mandatory program of competitive leasing of oil and gas in the NPR to include at least one lease sale annually in those areas of the NPR most likely to produce commercial quantities of oil and natural gas each year in the period 2013-2023.

Directs the Secretary of the Interior to ensure permits according to a specified timeline, for all surface development activities, including pipelines and roads construction to: (1) develop and bring into production any areas within the NPR that are subject to oil and gas leases; and (2) transport oil and gas from and through the NPR to existing transportation or processing infrastructure on the North Slope of Alaska.

Instructs the Secretary to issue: (1) regulations establishing clear requirements to ensure that the Department of the Interior is supporting development of oil and gas leases in the NPR; (2) a new proposed integrated activity plan from among the non-adopted alternatives in the National Petroleum Reserve Alaska Integrated Activity Plan Record of Decision issued by the Secretary of the Interior and dated February 21, 2013; and (3) an environmental impact statement for issuance of oil and gas leases in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska.

Nullifies the February 21, 2013, Record of Decision, including its integrated activity plan and environmental impact statement.

Requires the Secretary to assess all technically recoverable fossil fuel resources within the NPR, including all conventional and unconventional oil and natural gas.

Action Timeline

Action DateTypeTextSource
2013-09-10CalendarsPlaced on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 144.House floor actions
2013-09-10CommitteeReported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 113-197.House floor actions
2013-06-12CommitteeOrdered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 14.House committee actions
2013-06-12CommitteeCommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.House committee actions
2013-06-12CommitteeSubcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources Discharged.House committee actions
2013-05-22CommitteeSubcommittee Hearings Held.House committee actions
2013-05-20CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.House committee actions
2013-05-14IntroReferralReferred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.House floor actions
2013-05-14IntroReferralIntroduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Policy Area :

Public Lands and Natural Resources
Related Subjects
  • Administrative law and regulatory procedures
  • Energy storage, supplies, demand
  • Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
  • Land use and conservation
  • Licensing and registrations
  • Oil and gas
  • Pipelines
  • Roads and highways
Related Geographic Entities
  • Alaska
Related Organizations
  • Department of the Interior

Related Bills

See Related Bills