Norton says Senate should act immediately on energy bill

Steve Sutherlin

Interior Secretary Gale Norton called for swift Senate action on a bipartisan energy bill in remarks prepared for an address to the Independent Petroleum Association of America Oct. 26 in Houston, Texas.

Norton said the Senate has stalled bipartisan legislation, despite strong support from the working men and women of organized labor, Alaska Natives and Democratic members of the U.S. House and Senate.

“In the aftermath of last month's terrorist attacks, Americans charged our government to strengthen national security,” Norton said. “True national security must expand conservation programs, reduce our dependence on foreign oil from dictators, such as Saddam Hussein, and create new jobs — all while protecting the environment. The U.S. Senate should immediately allow a fair vote on bipartisan legislation to help families and to reduce our reliance on foreign oil.”

Norton favors an energy bill that contains provisions which would allow oil and gas drilling on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.