Baldacci, Allen sign anti-Arctic oil letter

WASHINGTON – Reps. John Baldacci and Tom Allen have signed a letter urging President George W. Bush not to support any energy policy that would allow drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

“We want to make him aware of the concerns we have about the policy, and we hope it will make a difference (in his position),” Baldacci said.

“The Bush administration is fixated on expanding production when the safer, cheaper faster, environmentally better solution lies with conservation” and alternative fuels, Allen said.

Members of the House of Representatives decided to send the letter after reports that Vice President Dick Cheney and his energy policy task force planned to recommend to the president an energy program that features as its centerpiece drilling for oil and gas in the refuge.

“I don’t believe it is appropriate to drill in the refuge,” Allen said. “I just think the amount of oil that can be recovered there is not worth damaging a pristine national treasure.”

Reps. Edward Markey, D-Mass., and Nancy Johnson, R-Conn., who drafted the letter, wanted to “try one more time to urge Bush to find some new focus for his energy bill,” said David Moulton, chief of staff for Markey. The letter has 44 House co-signers from both parties.

The congressmen fear that including the ANWR provision in the energy debate would make it impossible for them to agree on a sensible energy bill because ANWR is such a polarizing issue.

“Of all the measures you could probably choose to make the centerpiece of national energy policy, drilling in the refuge is most certain to evoke a strong, vigorous negative reaction in Congress,” the congressmen wrote in the letter, which was sent Tuesday to Bush.

“To introduce such a controversial and divisive proposal into the debate (on energy policies) reduces the likelihood that we can achieve a consensus,” the congressmen warned.

The ANWR dispute has received increased attention in recent days after White House officials made contradicting remarks about possible drilling in the refuge.

Christie Whitman, the Environmental Protection Agency administrator, stated on Sunday’s “Face The Nation” on CBS that recommendations to the president would not include drilling in the refuge. “We didn’t specifically say you must drill in ANWR,” Whitman said.

Shortly after Whitman’s appearance, the White House refuted her statement and said that Cheney’s recommendations would include ANWR.

Despite the apparent confusion, White House Spokesman Ken Lisaius said Tuesday “the administration is on one page on crafting a policy.”

Lisaius said the president is still supportive of drilling in a small portion in the Alaskan refuge. “The president’s position has been constant throughout; he is focused on results,” Lisaius said.

Lisaius said he has not seen the letter yet but added “the president continues to work forward with members of Congress to draft a long-term energy policy.”

The Bush administration is working on putting together “a comprehensive long-term energy bill” that includes using the newest drilling technology while protecting the environment, Lisaius said.

But several environmental groups have warned that oil drilling in the arctic refuge could have disastrous effects on the environment there.

Melinda Pierce, lobbyist for the Sierra Club, said that despite advances in technology, “drilling operations are incompatible with the environment,” and added that it “requires a tremendous amount of infrastructure” which would have an impact on the nature and wildlife.

“Besides,” Pierce said, “95 percent of the refuge is already open to drilling. Why not leave the last 5 percent alone?”