The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) in northeastern Alaska is rich in fauna, flora, and possibly oil. Development of this area for oil exploration has been debated for over 40 years. It is never preferable to disturb a wildlife refuge area, but in order to maintain an effective energy policy, we must keep an open mind. The area of ANWR being looked at for energy development is a small, sterile and self-contained foot print of two thousand acres out of a total of 19 million acres in the entire refuge.

As co-chairman of the House Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Caucus, I support an energy policy that reduces the growth of demand and increases domestic supplies in a safe and responsible manner. These principles will guide my decisions about oil exploration in ANWR.