Issue Position: Environment/Natural Resources - ANWR

Issue Position

I joined Alaska Congressman Don Young in co-sponsoring legislation that would allow oil exploration in a small area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

"The Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act of 2001" (H.R. 39) repeals prohibitions against leasing land in ANWR that would result in production of oil and gas. I co-sponsored similar legislation during the 106th Congress. This bill would only affect a small portion of ANWR, approximately 2,000 acres. I believe exploration and production can be done in an environmentally sound way with respect to wildlife. The United States is far too dependent on foreign energy sources.

America's farmers, families, and businesses can no longer tolerate the dramatic impacts of the Clinton Administration's neglectful energy policy. This legislation is part of a comprehensive effort to increase our nation's domestic energy security and bring energy price stability to American energy consumers. During the height of the 1970 energy crisis, the U.S. relied on foreign oil for 38 percent of its total energy consumption. Now that figure tops 55 percent. We need to develop energy sources in this country to keep costs down and to protect our national security. The ANWR includes 19 million acres of land and experts estimate it could produce 16 billion barrels of oil.

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