[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 86 (Thursday, June 17, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1299-E1300]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 INTRODUCTION OF THE ARCTIC COASTAL PLAIN DOMESTIC ENERGY SECURITY ACT 
                                OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. DON YOUNG

                               of alaska

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 16, 1999

  Mr. YOUNG of Alaska. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure today to 
introduce the Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act of 
1999.
  This bill has three fundamental purposes: creating new jobs for 
Americans, sustaining and continuing economic growth, and strengthening 
national security.
  The Act accomplishes these purposes through directing the 
environmentally sound leasing of the 1002 oil reserve area of the 
Arctic National Wildlife Refugee (ANWR) to oil and gas exploration and 
development. The 1002 oil reserve comprises most of the 1.5 million-
acre coastal plain of the 19.6 million-acre ANWR, and is named after 
the section of the Alaska Lands Act that specifically set the region 
aside for study and consideration of developing its giant energy 
potential. Experts believe this area holds America's largest untapped 
energy resource.
  ANWR is enormous in size, the size of South Carolina. Almost one-half 
is already designated wilderness. Congress considered making the 1002 
area wilderness, but rejected it in favor of studying its energy 
potential to meet future domestic needs. The Reagan Administration 
endorsed legislation to authorize leasing because the relatively light 
footprint occupied by development is so negligibly tiny in comparison 
to the great benefits oil development brings. Put into perspective, 
opening the 1002 oil reserve would take up less space than a single 
airport within an area the size of South Carolina.
  With national production declines occurring and world production 
nearing its peak, the legislation is urgently needed. Because at least 
10 years of environmental planning, study, and review are necessary to 
carry out a responsible development plan in the 1002 oil reserve, 
opening the area now would assure state, federal, local, and industry 
planners enough time to implement necessary safety and environmental 
measures. If Congress waits for an oil crisis to occur before 
recognizing that opening ANWR is necessary, rest assured that in the 
haste to get the oil, most careful environmental planning will go by 
the way-side. Opening the area now assures that we can take all 10 
years--or more if necessary--of anticipated lead time to move 
cautiously and responsibly.
  The most important benefit of opening the 1002 oil reserve is job 
creation. Up to 735,000 jobs, many of which are union jobs, could be 
created throughout all 50 states if a large oil and gas reserve is 
indeed confirmed and developed. Jobs in the oil industry are among the 
highest-paying private sector jobs available, but they will be lost if 
new development and opportunity is not created through a wise-use 
policy for America's public lands.

[[Page E1300]]

  As hard as it is to believe, there are some who don't think the 
escalation of oil imports and correlative decline in domestic 
production is cause for concern. This has manifested itself in a 
Clinton-Gore Administration policy to discourage new development of 
resources on public lands.
  Unfortunately, the result is a future of ever more dependence on 
foreign sources of oil and record trade deficits. In fact, the rate of 
imports has grown from 36% at the time of the energy crisis of the 
1970's to 56% today * * * and it is growing rapidly. Excessive reliance 
on foreign supplies coupled with the paucity of new domestic energy 
development gives other nations opportunities to unduly influence our 
economic and foreign policy.
  While working Americans understand the importance of oil, they also 
place high value on the environment. This Act reflects these priorities 
by balancing resource development with stipulations and conditions that 
effectively require the environmental standards of North Slope 
development to match or exceed those of any country upon which we rely 
for our imports. Such is already the case in Prudhoe Bay, America's 
largest oil field, where the factual record shows that resource 
development--when done right--is consistent with conservation of the 
environment. Alaska's arctic has accounted for one-quarter of the 
United States' oil production in over twenty years, yet biologists 
cannot identify any declines in wildlife attributable to the Arctic oil 
activity. None. In fact, Caribou even outnumber the entire population 
of Alaskans. This is no mere coincidence, but the result of careful 
planning and regulations that recognize development and environmental 
protection are compatible.
  But don't take my word for it. Listen to the Inupiat Eskimos--the 
first environmentalists. They support this legislation. They understand 
that with careful planning and regulation using the most advanced 
technology available, oil development is compatible with the 
conservation of wildlife, habitat, and their Arctic environment.

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