U.S. Chamber Applauds Senate Support on ANWR

The U. S. Chamber of Commerce today applauded those Senators who support responsible drilling in ANWR as part of a comprehensive energy plan that is vital to America's economic and national security.

"Not utilizing all of our own energy resources is only going to make price spikes and blackouts more common, while keeping us more dependent on foreign sources of oil," said William Kovacs, Chamber vice president for environmental policy. "It is unfortunate that a few Democrats are threatening to filibuster one of our best options to help reduce our dependency."

Last year, the House passed comprehensive energy policy legislation — H.R. 4, the Securing America's Future Energy Act of 2001. This legislation will ensure a reliable, affordable domestic supply to meet our future needs and protect our national security, according to the Chamber. It is a balanced approach that expands the use of all domestic sources of energy including nuclear power and renewable sources.

The Chamber expressed concerns over comments today by Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) during a radio interview. Lieberman said, "I can say for myself, and I believe for Senator Kerry, that if the conference report comes out with drilling allowed in the Alaskan refuge, we will filibuster that as well." This means that one or two Senators can take down the energy policy of the entire nation even after a compromise has been reached between the House and Senate.

"At such a crucial time economically and internationally, I am troubled by Senator Lieberman's threats to kill the entire national energy policy if the ANWR provision remains in a final compromise bill, said Kovacs. "It is not something I would want to campaign on."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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