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JUNE 6, 2001

With the Energy and Natural Resources Committee moving into the hands of Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), the nation's energy goals will shift.

On Tuesday, Bingaman said he opposes opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil and gas development. Drilling in ANWR is one of the most controversial parts of President Bush's national energy policy.

Bingaman said he will call on more money to help low-income families pay electricity and natural gas bills. He also wants the government to investigate alternative energy research.

Outgoing Chairman Frank Murkowski (R-Alaska) said he believes limits on drilling will stay in place. He has supported development in ANWR and various federal lands in the West, which are currently off-limits to drilling.

Murkowski criticized Democrats for proposing solutions to the nation's energy production situation that don't include increasing development.

Get the Story:
Bingaman To Take Over Energy Committee Wednesday (AP 6/5)
Murkowski steps off swinging (The Anchorage Daily News 6/6)
Drilling limits likely to stay (The Denver Post 6/6)

Relevant Links:
Arctic Slope Regional Corp - http://www.asrc.com
Gwich'in Steering Committee - http://www.alaska.net/~gwichin
Oil Issues in ANWR, US Fish and Wildlife - http://arctic.fws.gov/issues1.html
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, US Fish and Wildlife Service - http://arctic.fws.gov
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Pro-Development site - http://www.anwr.org

Related Stories:
GOP faces last day in power (6/5)
Alaska on verge of oil boom (5/30)
Caribou herd faces danger (5/29)
Norton: Indian Country won't get ripped off (5/24)
Natives square off over Arctic drilling (5/18)