Dear Benjamin:
Thank you for contacting me regarding oil exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). I appreciate your remarks and value your input on this important matter.
Nearly 60 percent of the crude oil we use in this country comes from unstable sources in other countries and the percentage is expected to grow with each passing year. This excessive dependence on foreign oil is caused by several factors, but most importantly because domestic production has decreased drastically in recent years. In fact, domestic oil production has fallen 17 percent since 1992. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the ANWR region stretches over 19 million acres, of which only 2,000 would be used for oil exploration. This small portion holds enough oil to boost domestic production by up to 1.6 million barrels of oil a day, which could save over $3 trillion American dollars from going into the pockets of foreign sources each year. As rising gas prices are adversely affecting consumers, manufacturers and farmers, utilizing the resources in the Alaskan region would greatly aid in stabilizing our nation’s energy needs.
Though I share your concerns about the environment and natural habitat, I believe exploration can be conducted in a responsible and environmentally friendly way as today’s technology is less intrusive than ever before. In fact, the federal government invested millions into research of the ecosystem and wildlife of the Arctic. The research reveals that the habitat and environment can be safely maintained if exploration is conducted.
Exploring ANWR will not only move our country towards energy independence, it will create 753,000 jobs in America. It is also worth noting that 19,000 of those jobs will be in Virginia by creating logistical, distributing and technical jobs associated with the oil industry. Every year, our nation loses over a million jobs in the oil industry to other countries. It is estimated that every $1 billion spent to develop domestic resources will create 12,500 jobs. For the sake of our nation’s job security, exploration in the Arctic is an opportunity that should not be taken lightly.
As you may know, the Senate took one step further towards exploration in our own country by defeating an amendment that would have prevented opening the North Slope of Alaska to oil and gas exploration. Unfortunately, the House of Representatives took this amendment off the table in the budget reconciliation process. It is my hope that the House of Representatives will reconsider domestic exploration in the upcoming conference report so that Americans can benefit from the promising resources available in our own country.
Please feel to contact me again about issues important to you. If you would like to receive an e-mail newsletter about my initiatives to improve America, please sign up on my website (). It is an honor to serve you in the United States Senate, and I look forward to working with you to make Virginia and America a better place to live, learn, work and raise a family.
With warm regards, I remain
Sincerely,
Senator George Allen