 February 22 , 2003
"Opening ANWR will produce a positive ripple across Alaska, and the nation. Every barrel of oil we produce in Alaska is one less that we must import from overseas," said Murkowski.
Murkowski also noted recent figures from the United Nations showing that the United States has more than doubled its consumption of Iraqi oil over the last two months. Between December and February, the United States has imported more than $1.6 billion in Iraqi crude. He said that this was because of our dangerous reliance on foreign oil producers like Venezuela and Nigeria, who have both stopped exporting oil because of internal conflicts. "I believe we will win the fight this year. Alaskans know that development and environmental protection can go hand in hand in the Arctic. We can create jobs, provide a revenue stream to support the needs of our citizens, increase our national security, and protect the Arctic environment," Murkowski said. "We must relay the positive message being carried forward by the indigenous people of the North Slope, the Inupiat Eskimos. They represent 8,000 Alaska Natives who hold over 92,000 acres of land within the Coastal Plain. They believe in, and support development of ANWR. They make this decision based on their experience with Prudhoe Bay development," said Murkowski. Murkowski urged Labor to educate
those outside of Alaska with the facts. "We can develop
our resources, we can protect our environment and we can care
for our people."
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