NOIA Welcomes NOAA Proposed Authorization for Liberty project
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 29, 2019
Contact: Nicolette Nye, (202) 465-8463, nnye@nullnoia.org
NOIA Welcomes NOAA Proposed Authorization for Liberty project
Washington, D.C. – National Ocean Industries Association President Randall Luthi today issued the following statement supporting the proposed issuance of Incidental Harassment Authorization for the Liberty project in Alaska:
“NOIA welcomes NOAA’s proposal to issue Incidental Harassment Authorization (IHA) for Hilcorp’s Liberty project in Alaska. NOAA conducts extensive analyses for many ocean-related activities, including energy exploration and development. There are more than 230 active IHAs covering military exercises, oil and gas exploration and development, renewable energy development, scientific research and construction projects. Any projected potential injury to marine life for each of these uses is generally considered the absolute worst case scenario.
“The proposed IHA for the Liberty project includes provisions that firmly restrict operations and require impact monitoring, assuring little or no effect on marine mammals in the project area. While marine life might avoid the project area for a short period of time, it is very unlikely there would actually be any physical harm or injury to whales or seals. Energy development and environmental stewardship go hand-in-hand, and there is no reason to suggest that the Liberty project would be any different.”
ABOUT NOIA
NOIA is the only national trade association representing all segments of the offshore industry with an interest in the exploration and production of both traditional and renewable energy resources on the nation’s outer continental shelf. NOIA’s mission is to secure reliable access and a fair regulatory and economic environment for the companies that develop the nation’s valuable offshore energy resources in an environmentally responsible manner. The NOIA membership comprises about 250 companies engaged in business activities ranging from producing to drilling, engineering to marine and air transport, offshore construction to equipment manufacture and supply, telecommunications to finance and insurance, and renewable energy.
