Richard Shelby: “I rise today to discuss the Arctic national Wildlife Refuge or ANWR. As my good friend and colleague from Alaska Senator…”

“I rise today to discuss the Arctic national Wildlife Refuge or ANWR. As my good friend and colleague from Alaska Senator Stevens has outlined, oil and gas exploration in ANWR is not a new issue. In fact, it is an issue that was contemplated when Congress expanded the boundaries of the Arctic national Wildlife Refuge in 1980, by requiring the Department of Interior to prepare a detailed study on the Coastal Plain area and recommend how it should be managed. The Department of Interior's study recommended that the entire area be made available for oil and gas leasing, describing it as ``the most outstanding petroleum exploration target in the onshore United States.'' Despite this recommendation, no action has been taken an ANWR the intervening years except for the 1996 Budget Reauthorization Act authorizing the opening of ANWR which was retold by President Clinton. I understand that there is a push and pull between those who believe we should strive to achieve energy independence by drilling in ANWR and those who feel that we should protect the environment and preserve ANWR. But, I believe that we can do both. We have come a long way since the very first oil fields were drilled. Today we have the ability, the technology and the know-how to drill in ANWR and protect and preserve the environment.”