House Resources Committee Passes Bill to Open ANWR

Statement

Led by Alaskan Congressman Don Young and Chairman Doc Hastings, the House Natural Resources Committee passed H.R. 3407, the Alaskan Energy for American Jobs Act. This critical piece of legislation would authorize oil and gas development in less than 3 percent of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

"I want to applaud my colleagues on the committee for passing this bill today," said Rep. Young. "It's important to note something that is crucially important - we passed this bill today with bipartisan support. The North Slope of ANWR was set aside for one reason -- to develop its oil and gas resources. This committee reaffirmed what the majority of Alaskans already know -- it's time to harness those resources for the betterment of not only Alaska but the country as a whole. Congress does far too much talking and not enough doing when it comes to creating jobs and lowering energy costs. Open ANWR for development and we'll see lower prices at the pump, less dependence on foreign oil and new high-paying American jobs!"

"Throughout his entire career Don Young has been a tireless advocate of the Alaska Natives' right to benefit from their own resources located in ANWR and across the great state of Alaska. Without his constant work to educate his colleagues on the importance of energy production in ANWR we would not have been able to pass this bill out of Committee," said Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings (WA-04). "Energy production in ANWR will create tens of thousands of jobs for Alaskans and improve the quality of life across the state, while increasing America's energy security and I commend Don Young for his years of efforts on this issue."

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