Political Quotes

“Frankly, if we are talking about energy needs in America and drilling in places we never would have considered drilling before, whether in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge or national monuments, certainly someone has to make a compelling argument there is so much energy there that America cannot turn its back. The statistics the Senator from Nevada has quoted and an analysis by the Wilderness Society come to the same conclusion. The total economically recoverable oil from the monuments that I protect in this amendment is the equivalent of 15 days, 12 hours, 28 minutes' worth of energy for the United States. Economically recoverable gas, as a portion of total U.S. consumption, is 7 days, 2 hours, 11 minutes. What would we give up for that small opportunity to bring that much energy into the picture in the United States? Frankly, we would be drilling in areas which have been designated as special and important treasures that the United States should preserve. I am glad we are having this national debate about energy conservation and energy efficiency.”