The Governor, like the Alaskan Governors before her, is extremely passionate about how Alaska holds the answers to much of America’s energy dilemma and that Alaskans have been shouting this solution for decades.  Palin strongly supports opening the 10-02 Area of ANWR to oil and gas development as well as environmentally responsible development of the outer continental shelf (OCS).  ANWR and OCS are headline news across the nation now due to the record level prices of oil and gasoline. 

ANWR production will benefit the nation with long-term jobs in all 50 states for services and infrastructure construction and maintenance.  Federal taxes from oil production totally over 200 billion dollars would be used to fund alternative energies and future energy development for over 3 decades to come.  ANWR oil is worth 1.3 trillion dollars to the nation at today’s prices.

Senator Reid, along with Senator Clinton, Senator Cantwell of Washington State and Senator Kerry have all worked hard to foil Alaskans attempt to supply America with much needed oil.  Their arguments against Alaskan oil development are tinged with environmental rhetoric and economic statistical excuses that are often straight out of Sierra Club pamphlets.  Senator Reid’s state of Nevada does little to help the nation energy wise and produces no oil and has only one refinery for diesel and asphalt.  Nevada relies on other states for all its transportation fuels.  Half of Nevada’s electricity comes from coal and natural gas, yet for these two resources Nevada’s imports the lion share of its needs from out of state. 

Governor Palin’s letter was copied to the President, Vice President, Secretary of the Interior and the Alaska Congressional delegation.

View Gov. Palin's letter to Sen. Reid on ANWR.