[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 141 (Friday, October 9, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2010]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        INTRODUCTION OF NON-INTRUSIVE SEISMIC TESTING IN ALASKA

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 1998

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, I have introduced a bill today in 
order to aid our Administration in taking responsible action regarding 
the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).
  This last May, the US Geological Survey (USGS) released it's 
petroleum resource assessment of the ``1002 area'' within ANWR. The 
USGS published that in-place resources could be as high as 31.5 billion 
barrels of oil. This is orders of magnitude higher than other 
predictions this Administration has released during this decade. Of 
course, this 31.5 billion barrel figure does not factor in all of the 
economic and technological variables that are realities for the 
industry. However, it demonstrates that there clearly is significant 
energy potential currently being withheld from the American public by 
this Administration.
  To really understand the energy potential for the Nation within ANWR, 
we must use the most advanced scientific methods available. The 
Secretary of the Interior, as our Nation's landlord, clearly has a 
fiduciary responsibility to gather the maximum amount of information to 
make an informed decision. Regardless of a person's position on 
development of the coastal plain, we should all support an 
understanding of the potential beneath the frozen tundra of this area. 
By using 3-dimensional seismic testing in the 1002 area of ANWR, we 
will be able to have a much clearer understanding of this potential.
  Currently, there are several significant discoveries on state lands 
adjacent to the 1002 area of ANWR. These fields could potentially drain 
the federal mineral estate from their surface occupancy on state lands. 
This potential drainage could withhold millions of dollars to which the 
US Treasury and American public are entitled. Without the best science 
available, this possibility continues to be a significant reality. It 
is incumbent upon this Administration to safeguard the people's trust 
and mineral estate. To allow this potential diminishment because of 
political ideology is unwise and irresponsible.
  Even if this legislation were to pass with the few legislative days 
remaining in this 105th Congress, it will not open ANWR. In fact, sadly 
so. I feel the coastal plain holds our nation's greatest energy 
potential and should be opened to sensible development. The reality is 
this Administration will not allow ANWR to be developed under any 
circumstances. With this fact, we must fulfill our obligation of 
scientific understanding and use the best science technology available 
to estimate the coastal plain's potential. If my fellow Alaskans send 
me back to represent them as their Chairman, I plan to reintroduce this 
bill and move it through the legislative process.
  This legislation will help accomplish the goal of understanding the 
coastal plain of ANWR's potential in a non-invasive and environmentally 
benign manner. Seismic testing examines the sub-surface structure with 
almost insubstantial effects. The fact is, seismic has already been 
allowed in this area with negligible impacts. This legislation will 
allow 3-D seismic into this area for a much more accurate assessment of 
the resource. We need this kind of understanding while devising a sound 
national energy strategy for the American people. I look forward to 
working with the Administration in the 106th Congress while we work to 
fulfill our obligation to the public and gather the best information by 
using the most advanced technology available.