Richard Pombo: “this is always a great debate that we have on the energy bill, and I always enjoy the rhetoric of the gentleman from…”

“this is always a great debate that we have on the energy bill, and I always enjoy the rhetoric of the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) and his ability to speak to the issues that he is so passionate about. I have been to ANWR. I have been up there in the wintertime when it was 40 degrees below zero; I have been there when it was the summertime and it had warmed up to 32. And I agree with the gentleman from Massachusetts on one point, and that is that it is a very unique place that deserves to be protected. I believe that it is one of the most important areas that we have in Alaska, and throughout the country, because of its uniqueness. But the argument that the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) and those who support his amendment continue to make is that we have to choose between energy production and protecting our environment, and we do not. It is a false choice. We keep hearing this over and over again. Currently, there are about 120 wildlife refuges that have some kind of oil and gas development in them. This is not a wilderness area, as the gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Markey) keeps talking about, it is a wildlife refuge. And the area that we are talking about doing gas and oil exploration in was reserved by Congress for that purpose. We do not have to choose between having a vibrant economy, we do not have to choose between providing the energy resources for our country and protecting our environment. We can do both.…”