National Parks Group Applauds Representative Young’s Leadership on Denali National Park Improvement Act
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PRESS RELEASE
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | |
| Date: | July 24, 2013 |
| Contact: | Kati Schmidt, Senior Media Relations Manager, National Parks Conservation Association: 415.728.0840 Jim Stratton, Senior Regional Director for Alaska, National Parks Conservation Association: 907.229.9761 |
National Parks Group Applauds Representative Young’s Leadership on Denali National Park Improvement Act
Statement by Jim Stratton, Senior Regional Director for Alaska, National Parks Conservation Association
“The National Parks Conservation Association applauds Representative Don Young’s leadership on the Denali National Park Improvement Act. The legislation is identical to that of Senator Murkowski’s bill, which passed the Senate last month. With the bill’s thoughtful approach to protecting roadless Alaska, promoting renewable energy development, and honoring native Alaskans, Representative Young is creating a win-win-win situation. Today’s successful House Natural Resources Committee markup of the Denali National Park Improvement Act is another step in the right direction.”
“Rather than building a new route to the east of Denali National Park into an area that is currently roadless, it makes good sense to us to keep the gasline along the highway. This position was mirrored in the final environmental impact statement for the Alaska Stand Alone Gas Pipeline, which included an option for routing the pipeline along the Parks Highway through Denali National Park. The Denali National Park Improvement Act makes this effort much easier to achieve, and provides opportunities for diesel-fueled tour buses in Denali to transition to cleaner natural-gas-powered buses.”
“Any time you can reduce diesel consumption by generating electricity with hydro equals a good day for the planet. We strongly endorse this part of the legislation that enables Kantishna lodge owners to do just that.”
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