Shays Votes Against Harmful
ANWR Drilling Legislation
Washington, D.C. –Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT)
today voted against H.R. H.R. 5429, the American-Made Energy
and Good Jobs Act, which passed the House by a vote of 225
to 201. This legislation authorizes the Interior Department
to grant leases for oil and gas exploration, development,
and production in the coastal plain of the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in Alaska.
Mr. Shays made the following statement in opposition to this
legislation:
While Rome is burning we are eating grapes. We waste energy.
We consume 25 percent of the world’s energy yet 2.7
percent of the oil reserves are in the USA.
The President is right, we are addicted to oil, George
Miller and other members of congress were right, we are addicted
to oil. We are addicted to fossil fuels, we consume fossil
fuels at an alarming rate, and we need conservation.
The proponents of this bill like to point out that if
this legislation had been enacted 11 years ago ANWR would
now be producing oil. I’d also like to point out that
if we had higher conservation standards 11 years ago we would
save more oil than we would get from ANWR.
The bottom line to me is very clear: ANWR is a pristine
area. It is a set aside, it is a small part. And passage of
this bill will deplete this savings account. We need to say
no to the mining of ANWR, yes to exploring other areas, yes
to other forms of energy, yes to conservation, increase the
mileage standard of SUV’s, mini vans, cars and trucks.
Doing these things will save far more oil than we could ever
mine from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
Contact: Sarah Moore, 202/225-5541
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