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National Grange Disappointed by Removal National Energy
Security Provisions
WASHINGTON, January 23, 2006 – The National Grange is extremely disappointed that legislation to enhance national energy security by opening the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil exploration in an environmentally sound manner was removed from the 2006 defense appropriations legislation.
The provision to open ANWR was removed from the 2006 Defense Appropriations legislation when a minority of U.S. Senators exercised a filibuster against the provision. “Family farmers, small businesses, and rural Americans will all face a future of higher energy prices, greater energy volatility, and greater dependence on imported energy because of the short-sighted decision of a minority of U.S. Senators,” National Grange Legislative Director Leroy Watson said.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) predicts the 10-02 Area of ANWR, which was specifically set aside by Congress for potential oil and gas exploration, has the highest chance of finding a “super-large” oil field (with reserves in excess of 10 billion barrels of oil) anywhere in North America.
At the 139th annual convention of the National Grange, Grange delegates from across the nation adopted the following policy position regarding energy development in ANWR:
“The National Grange favors the complete utilization of petroleum and the other mineral resources, including the exploration and production of oil reserves on the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and from any outer continental shelf lease sales in accordance with the terms of an environmentally sound development plan.”
"Hurricane Katrina has showed us just how vulnerable our current national energy infrastructure really is," Watson commented. "Supply related energy disruptions this year have kept some farmers from harvesting their crops, forced small rural business to curtail their commercial activities, and have imposed tremendous additional costs on rural residents to heat their homes and to commute to work. Grange members believe that opening ANWR to environmentally sound energy development is a crucial part of a multi-faceted approach to ensure national energy security that includes greater incentives for energy conservation and increased development of renewable energy resources. The National Grange will continue to advocate for the environmentally sound development of ANWR and other appropriate energy resources for the benefit of our nation's rural communities," Watson said.
Since 1867, the Grange has provided a legislative voice for individuals, families, farmers, and rural communities. Today, Grange members, affiliated with more than 2,800 local, county, and state Grange chapters across the nation, are leaders in developing and advocating policies that benefit their communities.
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