Senate resolution seeks fair regulation from feds

JUNEAU — The state Senate’s Resources Committee on Friday approved a resolution imploring the federal government not to excessively regulate Alaska’s resources.

The resolution also applauded Gov. Sean Parnell for standing up to the federal government on issues of resource management.

Sen. Fred Dyson of Eagle River says he sponsored the bill in light of what he characterized as Washington’s compulsive use of regulatory laws, such as the Endangered Species Act.

Sen. Hollis French, an Anchorage Democrat, wondered whether the resolution would hurt the state’s relations with the current administration. But Dyson said he did not believe it would be any more harmful than recent lawsuits by the state challenging federal regulatory authority.

The resolution awaits a vote on the Senate floor.