WASHINGTON – Senator Frank H. Murkowski (R-AK), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, today released the following statement after the House energy conferees made a second offer regarding the safe energy development of a portion of Alaska’s North Slope: “We are headed in the right direction. Conference is about compromise. The American people expect us to work together to craft an energy plan that enhances our national security and economic outlook. The President expects a bill to help better prepare our nation against the world’s uncertainties. The new House offer on ANWR is yet another example of Republicans willing to reach out and work to accomplish this goal. “The House has proposed re-designating more than 10 million acres of ANWR as wilderness. While Alaskans were promised in ANILCA’s “no-more” clause that there would be no more land withdrawls in Alaska, I am prepared to look at this proposal realistically as a vehicle that advances us to compromise.” ###