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Begich opposes ANWR wilderness bill

by Rebecca Palsha
Friday, January 9, 2009

ANCHORAGE, Alaska-- Calling it a "knee-jerk reaction", Sen. Mark Begich is gearing up for what could be his first battle in the Senate.

Begich said legislation expected to be introduced on Saturday by Sen. Joe Liberman would prohibit oil exploration and drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, because it designates 1.5 million acres of ANWR as wilderness.

"I said I'd fight strong against my own party if they're wrong and in my view they are wrong on the issue of ANWR," Begich said. "I'll work very hard to educate them on what's important."

Begich said the bill doesn't keep options open for long term planning.

"It's kind of the same old same old song I've heard before," Begich said. "I would hope that we look at long term energy goals for our country, and leave everything on the table. It's important to look at all issues, including oil and gas."

But it's not just Senate members who disagree with opening ANWR, so do many environmentalists.

Betsy Beardsley, environmental justice program director with the Alaska Wilderness League, said Liberman's bill is a positive proposal for good energy advocacy.

"What Liberman is doing is saying it's time to move forward with a good energy policy for this country," she said. "This is an issue debated for years, and it's really a drop in the bucket when you look at America's oil supply."

Beardsley said the issue of opening ANWR has been too often debated and it's time to move on.

"What Begich should do is focus on an energy plan  that Congress and Americans can embrace," Betsy Beardsley with the Alaska Wilderness League said. "The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge is an important area, and it's an area set aside. Fish and Wildlife said it's the heart of the eastern Arctic."

ANWR covers 19 million acres and Begich said about 2,000 acres would be impacted by oil and gas exploration and development.

Contact Rebecca Palsha at rpalsha@ktuu.com