From Senator Patty Murray
Thank you for your letter regarding oil exploration in the Arctic NationalWildlife Refuge (ANWR). I appreciate knowing your views on this important issue. As you know, opening ANWR for development has been a contentious issue in Congress for many years. Some in Congress believe that our nation's energy crisis forces us to explore new areas for drilling, including pristine wilderness lands such as ANWR. While I agree that our nation faces a bleak energy situation and we must do all we can to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, I do not believe opening wild lands to development is the solution.Throughout my Senate service, I have consistently supported legislation that protects ANWR and prohibits future development. Our precious natural resources and wildlife are quickly diminishing, and we must make every effort to halt such destruction. Environmental and wildlife protection has always been one of my highest priorities, and I assure you I will continue to fight for conservation of these resources.
What we do need, however, is to create a sensible new energy policy for thefuture. The Northeast blackouts of 2003 and our state's own energy crisis illustrate a real need for a new plan. While the presence of fuel-efficient vehicles in the market has increased, our oil imports are higher than ever. We can no longer afford to depend upon oil and gas from some of the world's most volatile regions; instead we must actively seek new domestic sources that reduce the harmful emissions that contribute to global warming. There are clear alternatives to drilling in ANWR and other wilderness areas to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of petroleum. One way we can reduce our reliance on foreign oil is to increase the fuel economy of our automobiles and light trucks. Fuel efficiency improvements will bring the U.S. far closer to reducing its dependence on foreign oil than drilling in ANWR. Meeting a corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standard of 39 miles per gallon over the next decade, for example, would save 51 billion barrels of oil over the next 50 years - more than 15 times the likely yield from ANWR over the same period. I have consistently supported legislation to increase our CAFE standards.
Another way we can reduce our need for foreign oil is to expand the use of domestically-produced renewable and alternative fuels. In addition to reducingthe demand for oil, increased incentives for investment and research in emerging technologies like fuel cells, solar energy and electric cars would also help create a more sustainable and diverse energy supply.The Energy Policy Act of 2003, which was debated in the Senate until the end of2003, sought to address many of these issues. While the final conference report did not contain a provision for drilling in ANWR, it included many other dangerous measures that made the bill unacceptable. With billions in tax incentives for the oil, gas, and coal industries and little encouragement for the development of alternative energy sources, the bill reflected a real lack of any sensible future policy. Thus, I simply could not lend my support to the legislation.
The task before Congress in the next couple of years will be to create a real, responsible energy policy that conveys the message that America is truly committed to protecting the environment, becoming less dependent on foreign oil, and adequately protecting its consumers. We cannot afford to accept any bill that does not appropriately addresses each of these concerns. Please know that as the on going energy debate ensues, I will continue to advocate for protection of ANWR and other wild areas. The health of our people and our environment depend on us finding a better, more effective solution to the energy crises.
Once again, thank you for your concern on this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any further inquiries.
Sincerely,
Patty Murray
United States Senator
What we do need, however, is to create a sensible new energy policy for thefuture. The Northeast blackouts of 2003 and our state's own energy crisis illustrate a real need for a new plan. While the presence of fuel-efficient vehicles in the market has increased, our oil imports are higher than ever. We can no longer afford to depend upon oil and gas from some of the world's most volatile regions; instead we must actively seek new domestic sources that reduce the harmful emissions that contribute to global warming. There are clear alternatives to drilling in ANWR and other wilderness areas to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of petroleum. One way we can reduce our reliance on foreign oil is to increase the fuel economy of our automobiles and light trucks. Fuel efficiency improvements will bring the U.S. far closer to reducing its dependence on foreign oil than drilling in ANWR. Meeting a corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) standard of 39 miles per gallon over the next decade, for example, would save 51 billion barrels of oil over the next 50 years - more than 15 times the likely yield from ANWR over the same period. I have consistently supported legislation to increase our CAFE standards.
Another way we can reduce our need for foreign oil is to expand the use of domestically-produced renewable and alternative fuels. In addition to reducingthe demand for oil, increased incentives for investment and research in emerging technologies like fuel cells, solar energy and electric cars would also help create a more sustainable and diverse energy supply.The Energy Policy Act of 2003, which was debated in the Senate until the end of2003, sought to address many of these issues. While the final conference report did not contain a provision for drilling in ANWR, it included many other dangerous measures that made the bill unacceptable. With billions in tax incentives for the oil, gas, and coal industries and little encouragement for the development of alternative energy sources, the bill reflected a real lack of any sensible future policy. Thus, I simply could not lend my support to the legislation.
The task before Congress in the next couple of years will be to create a real, responsible energy policy that conveys the message that America is truly committed to protecting the environment, becoming less dependent on foreign oil, and adequately protecting its consumers. We cannot afford to accept any bill that does not appropriately addresses each of these concerns. Please know that as the on going energy debate ensues, I will continue to advocate for protection of ANWR and other wild areas. The health of our people and our environment depend on us finding a better, more effective solution to the energy crises.
Once again, thank you for your concern on this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any further inquiries.
Sincerely,
Patty Murray
United States Senator
posted by T. Scott Brineman at 8:44 AM
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