ANWR: death or glory in Washington, D.C., this year, says Herrera

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

In January, Rep. Don Young introduced a bill in the U.S. House that would allow oil and gas leasing in a small segment of the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He is circulating bill for co-sponsors.

Cam Toohey, executive director of Arctic Power, told PNA Feb. 23 that ANWR has solid support in the House. But, he said, it’s a different story in the Senate.

Sen. Frank Murkowski, chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, was expected to file The National Energy Security Act of 2001 on Feb. 26 as PNA went to press.

The 4-inch bill will contain provisions to open ANWR.

“This bill will be a vehicle to start discussion,” said Toohey. He said the ultimate vehicle for opening ANWR will probably be a budget bill, which could pass with a 51 majority vote in the Senate and not be subject to a Senate filibuster.

In mid-February the pro-ANWR forces had 47 votes in the Senate. Toohey said they have since garnered the support of Indiana Sen. Dick Lugar, a Republican who voted against drilling last year.

“We need all the help we can get,” Toohey said. “Every member of Congress needs to hear from their constituents on ANWR.”

Toohey wants Alaskans to ask their friends, relatives and business associates around the country to contact their Congressional delegations via mail, email or fax. Those individuals who want more information on ANWR can go to Arctic Power’s Web site at “http://www.anwr.org/”.

“If we don’t win this year we can probably forget it,” Arctic Power lobbyist Roger Herrera told PNA. “It’s death or glory time.”

Herrera, who is working with eight senators who are undecided on ANWR, said $5 million to $6 million is needed for an ANWR awareness campaign — less than what the greens are spending.