ANWR resolution approved

DAWN De BUSK/Frontiersman reporter

Members of the Alaska Senate on Wednesday approved two pieces of legislation providing more momentum in the effort to open for oil exploration a strip of coastal plain in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

Senate Joint Resolution 2, which passed in a 15-to-1 vote, urges Congress to support legislation opening ANWR while remaining sensitive to the well-being of the Porcupine caribou herd and maximizing the use of Alaska's work force.

"We're still hopeful Congress will have the wisdom to open ANWR," said Rep. Vic Kohring, R-District 14.

State Sen. Kim Elton, a Juneau Democrat who opposed the measure, was in a meeting outside Juneau and could not be reached for comment Friday.

Kohring said a Republican majority in Congress should create a pro-development attitude helpful to laying down the groundwork to drill in ANWR.

"[President George W. Bush] has publicly said he would sign that bill," Kohring said.

Also, the House Special Committee on Oil & Gas unanimously passed legislation earlier this month that would provide $1.1 million for lobbying and educating those pivotal in opening ANWR. The legislation, which would give pro-drilling group Arctic Power funding to promote ANWR's development to the public and to politicians, faces the Finance Committee next.

"The time is most opportune with the sentiment of the American public and overwhelming support of Alaskans," said Kohring, who not only heads the House Special Committee on Oil & Gas, but sponsored both bills. "If ANWR were in Nebraska, Nebraskans would support opening it to oil drilling."

A recent national survey by Luntz Research Companies revealed that two-thirds of Americans support ANWR exploration. The primary reason Americans back drilling in this remote northern area: To develop energy resources in America and reduce dependency on foreign and Middle Eastern oil supplies.

"Our national security is inextricably linked to our dependence on foreign oil," Gov. Frank Murkowski said in a recent press release.

"This research shows that Americans understand and support the role ANWR can play in reducing our nation's dependence on OPEC and Middle Eastern oil. Alaskans know that we can protect the environment and develop our natural resources, creating jobs for Alaskans and the nation and providing America with a secure supply of American oil," he said.

Luntz Research Companies conducted its survey, sponsored by Arctic Power, in January, using the answers of 800 registered voters.

Although the climate seems right for oil exploration in ANWR, some Alaskans remain opposed to the prospect of oil drilling there.

"As we slowly begin to understand [ANWR's coast] better and better, we realize the importance of this ecosystem," said Paul Joslin, an independent scientist with 40 years of experience in studying biology.

"I've been up there and have seen the coastal plain," Joslin said. "The Porcupine caribou herd flows off of that coastal plain. It's a vital area for caribou giving birth. If the caribou were spread all over during the birthing season, it wouldn't be an issue. But unlike the coast further west in Alaska where the coastal plain becomes enormous, the coastal plain off ANWR is very narrow. This coastal plain is like the heart. It's what makes the Arctic region function. Snip away a mountain, it might not matter. But take away the coastal plain of ANWR, and where will the caribou go?"

Senate Joint Resolution 2, which 22 representatives sponsored, not only pushes the U.S. Congress to pass legislation that would open ANWR but seeks to protect Alaska's financial gain from oil drilling.

The bill opposes any efforts to lower below 90 percent the state's royalty revenues from oil, gas or minerals from federal land in Alaska. Nor will it allow reductions in Alaska's share of the royalty revenue from ANWR.

Elton also voted against that resolution and couldn't be reached for comment Friday.

Meanwhile, House Bill 32 goes before the Finance Committee - the bill's final committee of referral in the House.

This Kohring-sponsored legislation not only provides Arctic Power with $1.1 million for its educational/lobbying funding, but also bestows Arctic Power with $100,000 to educate the village of Kaktovik, located near ANWR's coastal plain.

The grant is designed to educate people in that village about the benefits of oil exploration when it's done in an environmentally sound way, Kohring said.

"The grant is for community outreach. We want to alleviate concerns they have about any negative impact on caribou herds," he said.

A second bill, also providing grant money to Arctic Power for lobbying purposes, passed through the Senate and - like the House bill - will face the Finance Committee next.

"This is the most opportune time in our state's history. We came close (to opening ANWR) about 10 years ago, but Clinton vetoed that bill,"

Kohring said.