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ANWR language in U.S. Senate Budget remains: On to House |
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Written On: November 04, 2005 |
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OLYMPIA – After more than twenty years of debate, exploration of ANWR is one step closer to becoming a reality.
“This is huge,” said Don Brunell, president of the Association of Washington Business. “While I understand the environmental concerns in relation to drilling in ANWR, the world we live in demands that we, as a nation, not only redouble our conservation efforts but maximize our domestic supply of energy.”
Today in a tense vote, the Senate struck down Senator Maria Cantwell’s amendment to remove the ANWR language from Senate appropriations bill (S.1932). In the 51-46 vote, both Sen. Cantwell and Senator Patty Murray voted for the failed amendment.
Brunell continued, “The environmental and safety record of similar operations on the North Slope is impeccable. Technology now exists so that the foot print left in the Alaskan wilderness will be minimal.”
Upon the passage of the bill, exploration will be allowed in a limited area of the reserve, mainly the featureless flat Northern Slope area. The area has a conservative estimate of 10.4 billion barrels of oil in reserve.
“This is not only good for the nation but Washington state as well,” Brunell concluded. “Thousands of family wage jobs in this state are interconnected to the project. They work in our area’s refineries, ports and industries. The passage of this legislation will ensure that these jobs will be secure for years to come.”
Next week, the House of Representatives will move on this issue.
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