Chamber Welcomes Senate Vote on ANWR

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Chamber of Commerce today welcomed Senate passage of a bill intended to allow the environmentally responsible exploration of energy in the Arctic Natural Wildlife Refuge.

"At a critical time internationally and economically, we need to do all we can to reduce our dependence on foreign sources of oil," said Bruce Josten, Chamber executive vice president for government affairs. "This legislation will allow for the environmentally responsible exploration of energy while also protecting a small portion of the ANWR."

Oil production from ANWR is projected to equal about 50 percent of the amount of oil we currently import from the Persian Gulf. Every barrel of oil produced at home is one less barrel imported from countries that may not have America's security in mind, according to the Chamber.

America is rapidly exceeding the ability to develop and deliver adequate energy supplies to meet our nation's needs. Comprehensive energy legislation will reduce America's dependence on foreign energy, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth. It is time the Congress placed America's economic and energy security first and also permit exploration and development of ANWR.

The U.S. Chamber supports energy legislation that includes: conservation of existing energy resources; environmentally compatible exploration for new domestic energy supplies; research to develop and expand alternative and renewable energy resources; investment in infrastructure necessary to transmit and transport energy; and measures to ensure energy resources remain affordable and reliable.

"Continuing to rely on outside sources of energy in today's economic and international climate when we have resources here at home is not in the best interest of our national security," said Josten. "Even the limited exploration of arctic lands proposed by Congress will reduce dependence on foreign oil and create hundreds of thousands of jobs for Americans."

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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