Opening ANWR! As Arctic Power lobbies to open ANWR, Alaskans get closer to the goal of opening up the coastal plain to oil and gas development.

• Author: Duke, Kim
• Position: Arctic National Wildlife Refuge legislation

On April 10, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 228-197 to retain language opening the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to responsible oil and gas development (in H.R. 6, the Energy Policy Act of 2003). The vote margin of 31, which defeated an amendment by Congressman Edward Markey (D-Mass.) to strip ANWR language from the bill, nearly doubles that of an identical amendment Congressman Markey proposed to H.R. 4 in August 2001.

This strong message of support for development of the coastal plain of ANWR is extremely important as the campaign continues in Congress. And yes, it will continue! Just as Mark Twain assured the public his demise had been greatly exaggerated, so are reports on the demise of legislation opening the coastal plain exaggerated. Anti-oil factions have made such proclamations many times before. However, Americans m general and Arctic Power in particular will not allow this area's s world-class petroleum resources to be forever locked away.

Formed in 1992, Arctic Power is a nonprofit organization advocating jobs and energy for Americans through development of the resources of the coastal plain of AN WR. We seek congressional and presidential approval of legislation to allow responsible oil and gas exploration and production within ANWR's promising coastal plain.

A 52-member board of directors runs Arctic Power, a grassroots coalition of citizens from Alaska and across the nation who hail from a full economic spectrum. The board works closely with Alaska's U.S. congressional delegation, the Alaska State Legislature and Alaska's governor.

Arctic Power has generated a powerful coalition of support in Alaska and throughout the country. Local and national unions have joined Alaska Natives, business, trade and association leaders, all working together to educate Congress on the need for greater domestic production of oil and gas.

This coalition has kept Arctic Power on the frontlines of the ANWR campaign, successfully assisting our delegation on more than 20 votes in Congress. We have realized remarkable successes in the campaign over the years, highlighted by legislation that passed the House and Senate in 1995--which was unfortunately then vetoed by President Clinton.

Development of the coastal plain is now the centerpiece of President Bush's energy plan and has been supported by leadership in the House and Senate. Even given this support, the campaign to open the coastal plain has suffered...