Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. press release, August 2, 2001

\EWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 2 1 093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT: Henry Fawell Thursday, August 2, 200 1 202/225-306 1 Congressman Ehrlich Supports Compromise Plan for Energy Production in Alaska Ehrlich votes to minimize oil and gas exploration in ANWR, dedicate proceeds to national conservation efforts WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Bob Ehrlich (MD-2) voted Wednesday for an environment-friendly compromise to oil and gas exploration in Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). The ANWR compromise was included in HR. 4, the Securing America ’s Future Energy Act of 2001, which represents the first phase of President George W. Bush’s national energy policy. H.R. 4 was adopted in the House 240-189. Congressman Ehrlich stated, "As a life-long native of the Chesapeake Bay area and member of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, I understand the importance of environmental conservation. Wednesday’s compromise approach to energy exploration strikes a careful balance between America’s rising energy demands and the need to protect America’s natural treasures." ANWR is a 19 million-acre wildlife refuge in northeastern Alaska. Its 1.5 million-acre coastal plain is currently one of the most promising oil and gas production prospects in the United States, holding an estimated 13 billion barrels of oil. Specifically, Congressman Ehrlich voted for two amendments to H.R. 4 offered by Representatives John Sununu (R-NH) and Heather Wilson (R-NM). The first Sununu- Wilson amendment significantly restricts oil and gas exploration in ANWR to only 2,000-acres, thereby protecting the vast majority of the refuge’s 19 million acres from oil and gas production. H.R. 4 originally permitted exploration along the entire 1.5 million-acre coastline. The amendment was adopted 228-201. In addition, Congressman Ehrlich supported a second Sununu-Wilson Amendment that directs ANWR proceeds to energy conservation efforts. Specifically, this amendment provides that the federal share of ANWR oil and gas receipts must be invested in renewable energy research and technology, and the maintenance and improvement of federal lands. The amendment was adopted 241-186. c