WASHINGTON. D.C. – Under a unanimous consent agreement approved this afternoon, Senator Frank H. Murkowski (R-AK), Ranking Member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, will introduce an amendment to safely explore for resources in the coastal plain of ANWR when the Senate again debates the energy bill next Tuesday, April 16. “When we don’t control our energy supply, someone else does,” said Murkowski. “As long as that continues, we remain vulnerable to the whims of foreign rulers. ANWR offers energy solutions found within our own borders, free from the chaos of the Mid-East.” “I look forward to a fair and honest debate on this important issue. I urge my Senate colleagues to be mindful of world events of the past three weeks as they decide their vote,” Murkowski said. “By our own inaction, we are seeing a greater vulnerability as this country increases it dependence on foreign oil. Currently, close to 30% of our foreign oil imports are at risk due to labor strikes in Venezuela and the Iraqi oil embargo. We must address this reality.” ###