Bunning Statement on ANWR

BUNNING STATEMENT ON ANWR

Washington, DC - U.S. Senator Jim Bunning today issued the following statement supporting the defeat of an amendment that would strip out a provision in the Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Resolution to open up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for energy exploration. The Senate struck down the amendment by a vote of 51-49. The full Budget Resolution will be voted on by the Senate at the end of the week.

"This vote is a critical step toward greater energy independence. As prices continue to rise at the gas pump, and oil prices reaching a record high today of $56 a barrel, America desperately needs a sound energy policy. Two weeks ago I traveled to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and saw first hand how ANWR will be developed in an environmentally sound way to help us become more energy independent and create jobs here at home.

"Once developed, ANWR will provide the United States with nearly 1 million barrels a day or 4.5 percent of today's consumption for the next thirty years. This alone matches the oil that is imported by Saudi Arabia each and every day. It is estimated that ANWR could fuel the oil needs of Kentucky for the next 80 years.

"After visiting sites in Alaska, there is no doubt in my mind that we can develop ANWR in a safe and effective manner. Exploration will leave only a small "footprint" on the surface that can be engineered in an environmentally sound manner."

http://bunning.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.Detail&PressRelease_id=1341&Month=3&Year=2005