Haley Stevens: “my colleague, Senator Murkowski, recently wrote an article entitled ``Developing Alaska Oil Is Good for the Global…”

“my colleague, Senator Murkowski, recently wrote an article entitled ``Developing Alaska Oil Is Good for the Global Environment,'' which was published on May 4, 2003 in the Anchorage Daily News. Senator Murkowski made extremely astute observations and concisely detailed the hard truths of the United States' current energy condition. As Congress continues to debate whether to permit some limited oil development on Alaska's Arctic coastal plain, we must ask whether America is doing everything it can to protect its energy security in the future. As a new Senator from Alaska, I may shock some by acknowledging some hard truths. First, this nation needs to do a far better job of energy conservation and needs to develop innovative energy technologies to meet our growing need for clean and efficient fuels. For example, overcoming the technical hurdles of hydrogen-powered vehicles could be very beneficial in meeting our future energy needs. Second, opening a tiny part of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by itself will not solve all our energy woes, as it will take time to develop the area's potential.”