Just like in the House with Representative Markey’s (D-MA) traditional HR.39 ANWR Wilderness bill, Senator Lieberman introduces a similar bill in the Senate at each new Congress.  His previous bill, of which this is much a copy was S.2316 introduced in November of 2007.  Neither Lieberman, nor Markey has ever had luck with their bills.  Senator Lieberman’s new bill would declare the 1.5 million acre 10-02 Area as “Wilderness Zone” as defined by the 1964 Wilderness Act which would limit access to the 10-02 Area to foot traffic only and prevent any development of any kind.  Thus effectively locking up ANWR permanently.  Lieberman’s bill, being a straight up vote on ANWR would certainly attract the threat of filibuster where Senators deliberately endlessly debate the bill effectively killing it.  A filibuster requires 60 votes to overturn which are currently unavailable to the anti-ANWR Senatorial members. 

Senator Begich issued a terse and harsh statement to Lieberman on his bill stating that, “Sen. Lieberman’s ANWR legislation is another misguided attempt at locking up ANWR to appease environmentalists across the country”.  Begich continued, “what this country needs is a comprehensive energy plan dealing with oil and gas development, as well as renewable energy resources, to ease our dependence on foreign oil.  Domestic production including the enormous oil and gas reserves believed to lie beneath the Arctic Refuge must be a part of that policy.  I am looking forward to educating Sen. Lieberman and others on the advancing technology and the ability to safely develop ANWR without impacting wildlife and the other incredible natural resources in our state." Senator Lieberman has consistently been against the views of Alaska on ANWR.  Over 75% of Alaskans favor responsible development of ANWR’s coastal plain. 

View the previous version of this ANWR bill.

View Senator Mark Begich's press release on ANWR in response to Sen. Lieberman's anti-ANWR bills.