The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 5429, “The American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act”, authorizing responsible energy development in 2000 acres of the 19 million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). But the move was primarily symbolic, since opponents in the Senate are certain to filibuster.
This is the 12th time the House has passed ANWR legislation with bipartisan support. Thats, right – 12 times. Thursday’s vote was 225-201.
The bill could go to the Senate next, but Democrats there would undoubtedly block it, and Republicans don’t appear to have the 60 votes they need to break a filibuster – unless the voters who want oil independence step up and make their voices heard to your elected representatives.
Energy, economy & national security go hand-in-hand. ANWR represents nation’s best geologic prospects for major new onshore oil discoveries, and only the 1.5 million acre (8 percent) on the northern coast of ANWR is being considered for development. The remaining 17.5 million acres (92 percent) of ANWR will remain permanently closed to any kind of development. If oil is discovered, less than 2,000 acres of the Coastal Plain would actually be affected – or less than half of one percent.
We need a balanced long-term strategy to reducing our dependence on foreign oil, and that means developing more American-made energy – both renewable and non-renewable. I am fully supportive of renewable energy projects and conservation, but I also know that in the short term, we need oil. And as a citizen of this country, I would prefer to put Americans and American dollars to work producing our own oil in ANWR. Opening the “1002 Area” of the Coastal Plain of ANWR is America’s best hope for reducing our dependence on foreign oil and securing our energy future.
