Sarah Palin

The term “wilderness” was defined in the 1964 Wilderness Act and imposes strict usage and access laws to land effectively locking it up for resource development. A declaration would certainly put the 10-02 Area off limits to oil and gas exploration. The 10-02 Area was specifically set aside for oil and gas exploration by Congress in 1980 when it was added to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The 10-02 Area is currently classified as neither “wilderness” nor “refuge” as defined by the 1964 Wilderness Act, and has been the source of intense debate in Congress for 15 years. The Governor’s letter states Alaska’s desire to develop the area responsibly and help to aid the nation in its energy woes. At the current world price of nearly $100 per barrel Alaskan oil would save the nation billions of dollar annually which currently is paid abroad to oil exporting nations.

Governor Palin states the benefits of jobs, national security, and pure economics in her defense of ANWR. The Lieberman bill will likely meet strong opposition and threats of filibuster in the Senate if it is ever released from debate in committee. The following is a copy of the Governor’s letter.

Gov. Palin letter to US Senators.