Statement of the Alaska Coalition
on the Budget Resolution Conference Report
April 28, 2005
A budget conference report need not say the words "Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge" to pave the way for Arctic Refuge drilling. 
Although the resolution unveiled today does not mention the Refuge by
name, it is clearly intended to provide the chairmen of the House
Resources and Senate Energy Committees everything they need to push
drilling through by circumventing the normal 60-vote requirement for
controversial legislation in the Senate. 
Statements by Chairmen Nussle and Gregg this afternoon to the contrary
were profoundly cynical and disingenuous. Pressed by reporters at today’s
press conference, Senator Gregg was forced to concede that this budget
would allow the Senate to consider drilling in the filibuster-proof
reconciliation bill. [CALL (202) 266-0409 to hear a recording of the
reporter’s question and Sen. Gregg’s answer.]
By requiring those committees to "reduce spending" by $2.4 billion over 6
years, the budget conferees are sending those committees a clear and
unambiguous signal to "drill away." It is no coincidence that $2.4
billion is almost exactly the projection for Arctic National Wildlife
Refuge leasing revenue released several months ago by the Congressional
Budget Office. 
These reconciliation instructions would therefore give the pro-drilling
chairmen of these committees, Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Rep. Richard
Pombo (R-CA), everything they need to avoid a Senate filibuster over
drilling the Arctic Refuge. On the day the Senate passed its version of
the Budget Resolution, Rep. Pombo issued a statement in support of
drilling in the Arctic Refuge. Likewise, Senator Domenici stated in a
press release dated March 16, 2005 that addressing drilling in the Arctic
Refuge through budget legislation that cannot be filibustered is
"absolutely legitimate."
Make no mistake. A vote for this budget resolution conference report is a
vote for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. No exceptions,
no excuses.
Nevertheless, Americans have remained steadfast in their commitment to
protecting the Arctic Refuge and keep it wild, unspoiled, and free of oil
drilling. Americans are overwhelmingly opposed (72% v. 18%) to sneaking
drilling the Arctic Refuge into the budget process. 
The budget process is far from over, and we will fight every step of the
way, using every means at our disposal, to ensure that Congress
ultimately listens to the majority of Americans and rejects drilling in
the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.
For more information, contact:
Pete Rafle, The Wilderness Society, (202) 429-2642
Lexi Keogh, Alaska Wilderness League, (202) 544-5305
Annie Strickler, Sierra Club, (202) 675-2384
Liz Hitchcock, US PIRG, 202-546-9707 x316
Wil Lutz, Defenders of Wildlife, (202) 682-9400 x369
Vinay Jain, National Wildlife Federation, 202.797.6894
Sarah Wilhoite, Earthjustice, 202 667-4500 x 216

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