    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book I)]
    [March 16, 2005]
    [Page 455]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Senate Action To Allow for Environmentally Responsible
    Energy Exploration in a Small Part of the Arctic National Wildlife
    Refuge
    March 16, 2005

        I applaud today's vote in the Senate to allow for environmentally
    responsible energy exploration in a small part of the Arctic National
    Wildlife Refuge. A reliable domestic supply of energy is important to
    America's security and prosperity. This project will keep our economy
    growing by creating jobs and ensuring that businesses can expand. And it
    will make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy,
    eventually by up to a million barrels of oil a day.
        I also call on the Congress to pass a comprehensive national energy
    plan that will diversify supply, increase conservation and efficiency,
    and upgrade our energy infrastructure.