SENATOR COLLINS COSPONORS LEGISLATION OPPOSING ANWR DRILLING

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Susan Collins is cosponsoring an amendment presented by Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to remove provisions in the budget that would allow for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Senator Collins points out that our nation can best reduce our dependence on foreign oil by simply increasing conservation and developing alternative technologies, rather than depleting our nation's last major oil reserves.

"America needs to increase fuel supplies and decrease demand, but in our effort to meet current energy needs, we should not use up our last major reserves," Senator Collins said. "If we begin drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge now, we will be wasting resources that should rightfully be available for future generations. If we increase energy efficiency and further develop alternative energy sources, we can effectively reduce our reliance on foreign oil, save consumers money, and protect the environment." In February, Senator Collins encouraged the Senate Budget Committee to exclude ANWR drilling from the Fiscal Year 2006 budget. In her letter, Senator Collins requested that the issue of opening the Refuge to drilling be addressed in an energy bill, rather than inappropriately including it in the budget.

Since coming to Congress in 1997, Senator Collins has consistently opposed efforts that would allow for drilling at ANWR.

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