In response to increased interest and potential for oil and natural gas production in the Arctic Ocean, UAF is building the Arctic Center for Oil Spill Research and Education, or ACORE. The center will work with state and federal agencies, industry organizations and other academic institutions to focus research on the prevention and mitigation of oil spills in the arctic.

This work is vital to ensure that the arctic environment is protected from the unintended consequences of an oil spill. In April 2010, the explosion of the BP Deepwater Horizon platform in the Gulf of Mexico resulted in the worst oil release in U.S. history. Approximately 4.9 million barrels of crude oil were released, disrupting the natural ecosystem and harming important fishing waters. Subsequent findings indicated that the oil industry was ill-prepared to anticipate and address the consequences of the spill. Through ACORE, UAF will serve as the source of information for how to protect the Arctic Ocean from similar disasters. The center will support effective methods of oil spill response and prevention using a variety of approaches:

• Conducting and supporting fundamental scientific research relevant to the arctic environment

• Sharing that knowledge in a variety of ways

• Creating a way for interested parties to offer feedback about research and techniques, which will help highlight and bridge any gaps in knowledge

IMPROVING OIL SPILL RESPONSE Capital research and development to build

and sustain Alaska’s economic growthImproving Arctic Oil Spill Response through Dedicated Research and Education CenterFY14 capital budget request: $1.5 million (general fund), $2 million (non-general fund)

Total: $3.5 million

Twenty-five percent of the world’s undiscovered oil and gas resources are within the Arctic Circle, with the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf holding the highest oil potential.

Climate change over the past several decades has increased the probability of shipping activity in the Arctic, including the Northwest Passage.

This funding will allow UAF to host a workshop to build collaboration within the state, purchase equipment for a pilot project to explore the potential for unmanned aerial and underwater vehicles to view the extent of a spill in ice-covered arctic waters, and hire a full-time research coordinator to develop funding proposals. Our research efforts will supplement the work already being done by the oil and gas industry and provide basic research on arctic ecosystems.

Why now?With an ever-increasing demand for energy within the United States and increased human presence in the Arctic, Alaska faces continued pressure for development. In temperate regions, the key risks and potential environmental and engineering problems associated with the development of oil resources have been identified. That is not the case in the Arctic, which presents major challenges in addition to those found in more temperate environments. Because our research focuses on the Arctic, UAF has the expertise and existing relationships to study and find solutions for these large-scale, complex issues. This center will allow us to build on that foundation, work directly with industry and local experts, and, ultimately, find solutions that will help ensure the long-term vitality of our state.

Increased presence of ships, regardless of whether they are fishing, tourists, freight or oil transport, increases the likelihood of oil spills in the Arctic Ocean.

Environmental protection requires expanded knowledge of the ecosystem baseline of the arctic environment.

We need to understand local ecosystems before taking global actions.

Naturally Inspiring™

For more information: 907-474-5922 | www.uaf.edu/alumni/legislative/ | www.uaf.edu/omb/The University of Alaska Fairbanks is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. UAF is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and educational institution.

UAF photos courtesy of the School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences | Produced by UAF Marketing & Communications 01/2013