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 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - To view the Sierra Club List Terms & Conditions, see: http://www.sierraclub.org/lists/terms.asp