Private sector won't surrender on ANWR - Arctic National Wildlife Refuge

Nation's Business, March, 1992

Business continues to press for the opening of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil production even though the Senate recently dropped such a provision from its bill.

Environmental opposition to exploration and production in the site on the Alaska coastal plan has been one of the key factors that has delayed the movement of energy legislation in Congress.

The Interior Department estimates that the refuge could contain up to 9.2 billion barrels of oil.

In urging Congress to retain provisions for ANWR production in its final energy bill, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce said that "environmentally responsible development of the coastal plain is sound energy policy as well as sound economic policy." The business organization noted that ANWR development could revitalize the domestic energy industry, which would, in turn, "make a significant contribution to economic growth and help boost the U.S. economy out of recession."