Chairman Don Young of Alaska ANWR letter to Congress

Transportation Committee Chairman Representative Don Young of Alaska submitted a letter to his Congressional colleagues appealing for bi-partisan effort for a the sensible passage of HR 5429. The letter was short and to the point explaining the benefits of ANWR oil to the nation. It is hoped that despite the current partisan voting habits of Congress, that the sensibility of the issue of ANWR energy would be seen by all Congressmen and women. The letter to Congress from Chairman Young is reprinted below.

May 24, 2006

Why ANWR?

As a Congress, we can agree that we have to address the high
cost of energy prices. This issue will not go away until we address it in a meaningful and decisive way.

I do not know the entire solution to this problem. But, I do
know that opening up ANWR to oil and gas development would be a part
of any solution to solve this problem.

According to the U.S. Energy Administration, the mean estimate of technically recoverable oil in ANWR is 10.4 billion barrels. That is almost half of the total U.S. proven reserve of 21 billion barrels. So in basic economic terms, if we open up ANWR, we would be increasing our supply, which in turn would lower prices. All of this in an area that is no larger than 3.31 square miles. Getting ANWR passed would provide Congress a tangible answer for its Constituents when they want to know what we are doing about the high energy costs.

ANWR is American oil. ANWR is 30 years worth of Saudi
Arabian imports. ANWR would be developed in an environmentally sound
and responsible way using the latest technology. Developing ANWR would provide hundreds of thousands of American jobs. Developing ANWR would increase our National Security and provide us with the energy independence to handle a natural disaster such as a hurricane.

Let's all work together to get ANWR passed this year.

Sincerely,

DON YOUNG
Congressman for All Alaska