[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 23, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S3160]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




MURKOWSKI AND STEVENS AMENDMENTS, NO. 3132 AND NO. 3133 TO S. 517, THE 
                           ENERGY REFORM ACT

 Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, I rise today to explain my 
opposition to the Murkowski and Stevens amendments to S. 517, the 
Energy Reform bill.
  Drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is not the only 
solution to our dependence on foreign oil. I am opposed to drilling in 
the Arctic Refuge because I believe there should be a comprehensive 
national energy policy.
  During the Senate's ongoing consideration of S. 517, I have voted in 
favor of strengthening Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards 
for SUVs and light trucks. By increasing oil savings, stronger CAFE 
standards would make us less dependent on foreign fuel and demonstrate 
a real commitment to conservation. The CAFE amendment failed. I voted 
in support of increasing the amount of renewable fuels in our energy 
portfolio. This provision failed. I have also supported tax credits for 
domestic marginal well production and providing incentives to consumers 
for purchasing alternative technology vehicles and improving the 
efficiency of their homes and offices. I am optimistic that these 
efforts will be successful.
  I am prepared to support a national energy policy that balances our 
energy needs with strong environmental protection. Reducing our 
dependence on foreign oil is a national priority, but should not come 
solely at the expense of our nation's precious natural resources.
  First established by President Eisenhower in 1960, the Arctic 
National Wildlife Refuge was created and later expanded to preserve the 
area's unique wilderness and wildlife values by protecting fish and 
wildlife populations in their natural diversity. The 1.5 million acres 
of the Refuge's coastal plain proposed for oil exploration and 
drilling, known as the ``1002'' area, is the most biologically 
productive part of the Refuge. The coastal plain is home to a diverse 
collection of wildlife including polar and grizzly bear populations, 
musk oxen, 180 bird species, and one of the largest caribou herds in 
North America.
  Each year, the Porcupine Caribou herd--over 129,000 members strong--
migrates 400 miles from wintering grounds in the north central Canadian 
Yukon to the Arctic Refuge coastal plain where they give birth to their 
young. In a typical year, the herd can birth up to 40-50,000 calves.
  The importance of the Porcupine Caribou herd can best be illustrated 
by a 1987 Conservation Agreement between the Governments of Canada and 
the United States. The Agreement recognizes the value of the Porcupine 
herd and the importance of protecting their birthing grounds to ensure 
the future sustainability of the population as a vital part of the 
Refuge's ecological system. In Canada, land north of the Porcupine 
River was withdrawn from development in 1978. Oil exploration and 
drilling in the Porcupine Caribou herd's prime calving grounds remains 
an item of contention between the United States and Canada and 
threatens the future of the Conservation Agreement.
  I am prepared to support a national energy policy that balances our 
energy needs with strong environmental protection. Reducing our 
dependence on foreign oil is a national priority, but should not come 
at the expense of our nation's precious natural resources. Allowing oil 
and gas development in the coastal plain promises only short-term 
benefits that may irreparably damage the wildlife values and unique 
vitality of the Arctic Refuge.
  Opening the Arctic Refuge to oil exploration and drilling should not 
be the primary component of the effort to reduce our dependence on 
foreign oil. There are other steps we should take that would provide 
more benefits in the long term.

                          ____________________