The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“DRILLING IN ANWR” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Energy was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H4585 on June 21, 2004.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
DRILLING IN ANWR
(Mr. BURGESS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, energy independence should be a goal of this Congress. Worldwide demand for petroleum has increased during the last decade, and the growth of production has been relatively flat. The inevitable result is higher prices at the gasoline pump, and the reality is that it takes time to go from the oil field to the gasoline station, and we have lost considerable time in this regard.
In 1995, in the 104th Congress, H.R. 2491, which was passed, would have allowed oil exploration in the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge. The Department of Energy has estimated that between 1 and 1.3 million barrels of oil a day could be derived from this source.
Unfortunately, in 1995, that legislation was vetoed by then-President Clinton.
That was nearly 10 years ago; and given a time line of 7 to 14 years for building the pipeline structure, it is time we can scarcely afford.
Mr. Speaker, I have been to ANWR. The vast coastal plain is unsuitable for habitation during the summer months because of its marshy consistency. Any caribou unlucky enough to calve in this region would likely die from exsanguination at the hands of the mosquitoes there.
The people in ANWR are counting on this Congress to do the right thing and allow them, the rightful owners of these mineral rights, to begin developing the resources that are granted to them upon statehood in 1959.
As we say in Texas, ``Time's a wasting.''
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