Alaska voters struck down an anti-development initiative that a broad-based coalition of businesses, groups and individuals argued would have shut down Alaska’s economic future. At the same time, Alaska voters chose a new governor in Mike Dunleavy who has been steadfast in support of a fair and comprehensive review process for all development projects in Alaska, including the Pebble Project.
Walker Wrong on Permitting Process
Permitting for Pebble on Track
PLP CEO Tom Collier issued the following statement regarding the announcement today from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: “The settlement of our litigation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced last May gave us the right to fully participate in a normal, lawful permitting process under the Clean Water Act with a thorough review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). In today’s announcement EPA confirmed this critical point and the news does not change our approach.”
Proposed Plan Features Reduced Footprint
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) today published a notification that the permit application submitted by the Pebble Limited Partnership (PLP) has been accepted. This formally begins the permitting process under the rigorous National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review process and other permitting efforts associated with the project.
PLP to File Permit Application
The Pebble Partnership announced today that it notified the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) that it would submit its permit application to the agency on Friday December 22, 2017. This action will initiate the thorough project review process prescribed under the National Environmental Policy Act.
New Pebble Executive VP of External Affairs
Pebble Expands Senior Technical Team
The Pebble Partnership announced today that Stephen Hodgson will join the project as Senior Vice President of Engineering & Project Director and James Fueg will join the project as Vice President of Permitting. Pebble CEO Tom Collier said these are key senior technical positions that will help lead the project to and through the environmental permitting process.
Outline of Comments in Response to EPA
EPA Withdrawal Notice is Welcome News
Pebble and EPA Reach Resolution
The Pebble Limited Partnership today announced an agreement to resolve the long-standing preemptive actions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) against the project. The resolution effectively ends the litigation and establishes a clear path for the Pebble Project to initiate permitting under the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
Mount Polley Mine Update
EPA Period for Public Comment Open
Judge Upholds State Role in Permitting
Shively Board Chair and Collier CEO
The Pebble Partnership today announced that Pebble CEO John Shively will assume the role of Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Pebble Project—a move that allows Shively to be a part of the strategic leadership team for advancing the project. With this move, PLP will appoint Tom Collier to the position of CEO for the company.
Statement on Senator Begich's Position
Statement on Potential Seals Listing
The Pebble Partnership is committed to working with the National Marine Fisheries Service and sharing information, including findings from our environmental studies in the area, as the agency assesses whether a listing of the Iliamna Lake Seal is warranted under the Endangered Species Act. We remain confident our project can proceed responsibly without affecting the habitat of the seal or its population.
Journalistic Integrity a Lost Art?
In his letter, Shively criticizes the editorial team’s ignorance related to the economic, environmental, regulatory and human realities experienced in Alaska and the multiple unfounded claims contained within the story that show a lack of basic journalistic principles. To date, National Geographic has not responded to the request for corrective action.
Statement on "Bristol Bay Forever" Initiative
EPA's BBWA Inadequate and Inaccurate
Calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) draft Bristol Bay watershed assessment inadequate, rushed and inaccurate, the Pebble Partnership Monday submitted comments and technical data to the EPA charging that the draft assessment is incomplete and fails on a scientific and a regulatory basis. Materials submitted by PLP, which include opinions and expertise from engineers, mining experts and international technical and environmental consulting firms, underscore the fundamental gaps in the process and omission of critical practices associated with 21st Century mining. Perhaps the most glaring issue is the hypothetical mine the EPA created on which to base its assessment – a mine that could not be permitted in the United States according to today’s rigorous regulatory standards.