Alaska Government Drills for ANWR Lobbyists

The Governor of Alaska is seeking bids from lobbying firms for a one-year $120,000 contract to lobby the U.S. Congress to allow "responsible oil and gas development" in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). PR Week reports that the selected firm would also lobby on natural gas transportation issues, with the winning bidder eligible for "up to five one-year contract renewals at the same price." One of the requirements is that bidders have experience lobbying on oil, gas or other natural resource development issues. In May 2006, the Alaskan government signed a $3 million PR contract with the Oregon-based PR firm Pac/West Communications, for a campaign promoting oil exploration in ANWR. The government allocated an additional $750,000 for a separate lobbying contract.