WASHINGTON - House Republicans once again took action to address increasing energy costs by passing H.R. 5429, the American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act, which will authorize oil and gas exploration in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Representative Todd Akin (R-MO) supported the measure.
"Although drilling in ANWR alone is not the solution to increasing energy costs it is important that the United States explore for and develop domestic oil reserves. To not do so would be irresponsible," said Akin. "The authorization of a sensible and environmentally safe development of a small region of ANWR needs to be complemented by other actions such as building more refineries in the U.S. as well as the development of new energy technologies in order to ensure future energy security and independence from foreign oil."
Exploration in ANWR will be limited to a small number of acres and conducted under the most stringent environmental protection requirements ever applied to a federal energy project. The production and development of ANWR would bring new jobs boosting the economies of Alaska and our nation.
Highlights of H.R. 5429, the American-Made Energy and Good Jobs Act include:
- An export ban requiring all oil and natural gas produced in ANWR's northern Coastal Plain to stay in America.
- Stringent environmental protections including requirements that the Department of the Interior establish regulations to ensure that drilling will have no significant adverse effect on fish and wildlife and their habitat.
- A limit on the total surface area covered by drilling and production facilities to 2,000 acres.
Return
to Press Release Archive listing
