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King Calls for Standards in Developing Arctic Resources

BANGOR, Maine - Maine independent Sen. Angus King says the world's northern polar region is characterized by "potential, problems, and promise."

He says among prime issues - both as potential and as problems - are energy and natural resources. "If we're going to be able to safely and environmentally, in a sound way, develop those resources, it's going to take some international standards."

Speaking at the Arctic Economic Development Forum in Washington today, King told the panel that a common understanding of standards must be devised in order to protect an area of the world where eight separate nations all have an interest in resources like oil, gas, and seafood.

King also stressed that dwindling Arctic sea ice will amount to the birth of a new waterway with enormous transit, trade and development potential over the next 20 to 30 years.

The day-long forum is co-hosted by the Wilson Center's Polar Initiative and the Institute of the North, along with the Senate Arctic Caucus, launched in 2015 by Sen. King and Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski.