WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, saying it is important that America “not use up our last major [oil] reserves,” spoke Wednesday against oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as a way to stimulate the country’s economic recovery.

At a press conference with actor and environmental activist Robert Redford and a bipartisan group of congressional colleagues, Collins said that though “a sound energy policy is critical to our nation’s security,” drilling in ANWR is not the answer. “We should instead develop energy efficiency and alternative technologies.”

Proponents of oil drilling in ANWR say its benefits include stimulating the sagging economy by creating new jobs and helping the country’s war against terrorism by reducing U.S. reliance on foreign oil.

“If we were open to ANWR oil drilling today, it would still take up to 10 years for the oil to make it to market,” Collins said. She also noted a report by the U.S. Geological Survey that ANWR might have only a six-month recoverable supply of oil available.

“Clearly, six months of oil 10 years from now won’t do much to help America respond to the tragedies of September 11,” Collins said.

Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, a longtime supporter of ANWR, also opposes oil drilling in the area. “Instead of drilling in this pristine wilderness, I have advocated providing incentives to reopen small, marginal oil wells that were capped when prices were low,” Snowe said in a released statement.

“These small wells could produce more than 250,000 barrels a day for domestic use, increasing American jobs and helping the economy,” Snowe said.

Redford, a member of the Natural Resources Defense Council, said citizens deserve an “open, honest debate” on ANWR drilling because the “facts are not being allowed to be presented.”

Alaskan Sarah James of the Gwichin tribe called ANWR a “sacred place, sacred ground.” She said she was speaking on behalf of her village’s children and elders when she told congressional members the area “needs to be protected.”

Senate Republican leaders met this week to discuss attaching an amendment authorizing ANWR drilling to the economic stimulus plan, but opponents, including Sen. Joseph Lieberman, D-Conn., said he would support Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., in a filibuster on the Senate floor if ANWR drilling is included in the stimulus plan.

Collins said there is a need to both increase fuel supplies and decrease demand, “but in our effort to meet current energy needs we should not use up our last major reserves.”

Developing alternative energy sources will increase the country’s economic competitiveness and protect the environment, she said.

“For me, it’s a simple choice,” Collins said.