On the recordAugust 1, 2001
There are simply places on earth that are too fragile, too vulnerable and too special really to drill for oil. We have a real moral obligation to protect these places. The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is really one of those places. Pillaging the Arctic will not solve our energy problems. It will, however, endanger precious habitat and wilderness and will endanger the way of life for thousands of Alaskan natives. Yes, we want more jobs but we do not have to sacrifice this wilderness area to get them. Developing new technologies will drive our economy forward and create new job opportunities. Building a natural gas pipeline from existing North Slope oil and gas fields will create jobs and increase our electricity supply. We can have both a healthy environment and a healthy economy. We do not need to sacrifice one for the other. I urge Members to support this amendment.
Source
govinfo.gov
