Time for a new partner?

Seventeen members of the Alaska House signed a letter to Goldman Sachs protesting its decision not to finance oil and gas drilling projects in the Arctic, specifically the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Polling, the lawmakers pointed out to the investment giant, consistently shows a significant majority of Alaskans support drilling in ANWR. The Inupiaq living on the North Slope support responsible development in ANWR, the lawmakers said, and Alaska’s Permanent Fund Corp., capitalized by natural resource development, has been a “steller” investment partner with Goldman Sachs.

One Democrat, Chris Tuck, joined 16 Republicans in signing the letter. Those who signed: Reps. Sara Rasmussen, R-Anchorage, John Lincoln, Und.- Kotzebue, Dave Talerico, R-Healy, George Rauscher, R-Sutton, Cathy Tilton, R-Wasilla, Colleen Sullivan-Leonard, R-Wasilla, Lance Pruitt, R-Anchorage, Laddie Shaw, R-Anchorage, Chris Tuck, D-Anchorage, Kelly Merrick, R-Eagle River, Bart LeBon, R-Fairbanks, Steve Thompson, R-Fairbanks, Sarah Vance, R-Homer, Ben Carpenter, R-Nikiski, Mel Gillis, R-Anchorage, Gabrielle LeDoux, R-Anchorage, and Mark Neuman, R-Big Lake.

A question: Where are the signatures from the rest of the House Republicans? David Eastman? Sharon Jackson? DeLena Johnson? Jennifer Johnston? Gary Knopp? Chuck Kopp? Louise Stutes? Tammie Wilson? And the Democrats? What about the Senate?

Goldman Sachs said in its Environmental Policy Framework it also would be curtailing investments in coal and timber, as well. That also strikes at this state’s interests.

Alaska depends heavily on its natural resources and for decades has sought to open ANWR’s coastal plain to exploration and production.

The Goldman Sachs effort to impede such activity surely merits a concerted, bipartisan effort in both chambers of the Legislature.

As for Goldman Sachs, it clearly is time to seek out new investment partners who can be bothered to take Alaska’s interests into account.