Washington, D.C. – The Administration’s FY06 budget request includes anticipated revenue of nearly $3.2 billion from oil development in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Chairman Pete V. Domenici today praised President Bush for his position on ANWR and pledged his assistance in getting ANWR instructions included in the budget reconciliation. Chairman Domenici’s statement: “Now is the time to do ANWR. We have the votes. We have the will. We have sustained circumstances both internationally and at home that mandate action. Here at home, gasoline prices rose 7 percent last month. It’s only February and we are already approaching last summer’s gas prices. “Internationally, oil prices remain high and supplies tight. I will lead a CODEL to ANWR the first week in March so senators can see for themselves how gentle today’s oil development is on environment and wildlife. Senators will have the opportunity to see ice roads and ice pads that are gone by spring, polar bears untouched by existing development and caribou herds that thrive around it. “I will work with the Budget Committee and Senate Leadership to include ANWR instructions in the budget resolution and fight for passage of that resolution on the Senate floor.”