Supports Begich

To the editor:

I’ve been seeing U.S. Senate candidate Dan Sullivan’s ad on TV, trying to claim Begich hasn’t done anything to help Alaska’s energy production — and I had to ask myself, where has this guy been?

I don’t even have room here to list all Begich has done to open up and expand energy production here in Alaska. But I’ll list a few (in case Sullivan is reading).

After years of delays and roadblocks, Begich relentlessly pressured the administration until they finally issued permits for Shell to drill in the Arctic – the first time any drilling has taken place there for decades.

Begich also played a central role in pushing the Interior secretary to grant ConocoPhilips permits to drill in NPR-A. Construction is already happening, creating jobs and soon pumping oil into TAPS. And there will be more coming online next year. So thanks to Begich, commercial oil is about to be produced in NPR-A for the first time ever.

Begich didn’t forget about renewables either — he got Recovery Act funds to finish the Cook Inlet Wind Farm that is now producing much-needed energy for Southcentral.

So clearly, if that other guy had lived here for longer and actually paid attention to Alaska issues, he would know about Mark’s success creating more energy and jobs for Alaskans.

Evan Beedle

Anchorage