Murkowski criticizes efforts to designate ANWR as wilderness
January 16, 2009
12:11 PM
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, released the following statement Wednesday strongly opposing legislation that would designate as “wilderness” the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
“Given that we were at record oil prices only a few months ago, it makes no sense to deny Americans access to lower-cost energy by permanently locking up North America’s largest potential source of oil and gas,” Senator Murkowski said.
“I’m confident that through the use of modern drilling technology we can develop our natural resources, including ANWR, without harming the environment. Developing ANWR offers an opportunity to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and improve our national security.”
“Taking ANWR permanently off the table at a time of volatile energy prices and economic hardship is simply not wise public policy.”
The legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senator Joe Lieberman, I-Conn.
Senator Murkowski has successfully opposed this bill in the past and, as the ranking Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, will continue to fight efforts to permanently take ANWR off the table.
