I think it’s time we all quit being such pansies. let me explain.

we ask our public servants to represent our interests in the government, and then we gripe when we’re not represented well. but yet we also never really inform our representatives of our views. do we? I encourage everyone to begin writing your representatives…the worst that could happen is you’ll receive a cordial letter in reply (see below).

I recently wrote roy blunt of missouri and asked that he consider voting against the proposed bill allowing oil drilling in the arctic national wildlife refuge (ANWR). after all, I thought the idea of a wildlife refuge was that it remain untouched by mankind in order to preserve the natural order of ecology in the reserve. apparently this is not the case. apparently, the wildlife refuge can also be leased to energy companies in order to increase revenue to the state of alaska and the U.S. treasury. who knew!

letter to roy blunt:

I strongly urge you to oppose drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, whether such a provision is included in an energy bill or comes to a vote as a free-standing bill (H.R. 4514).

Sacrificing this pristine wilderness to oil development would not solve today’s rising gasoline prices, nor would it make America energy independent in the future. Any oil from the refuge would amount to only a 180-day
supply, leaving us heavily dependent on foreign oil and highly vulnerable to price and supply shocks. The only path to energy security lies in energy efficiency, renewable energy sources and alternative fuels.

Please protect the Arctic Refuge and vote "No" on any bill that would allow drilling there. Then set us on the path to a sustainable energy future by reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and by making our cars, buildings and
economy more energy efficient. That is the only way to leave a more secure nation and a more livable planet to the next generation.

letter from roy blunt:

Dear Nicholas:

Thank you for contacting me with your concerns regarding the environment, specifically the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). I appreciate the opportunity to respond to your concerns.

We must each do our part to keep our air clean, our water pure, and our environment safe, together we can preserve our natural resources for coming generations. This is an issue in which we must strike a balance between
preserving our environment and its constructive and responsible use thereof.

The Energy Policy Act of 2003, H.R. 6 included provisions for the development of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in the House passed version of the bill. The provisions would have permitted oil and gas leasing and development of ANWR. Furthermore, the royalties from this lease agreement would have been shared 50-50 between the State of Alaska and the U.S. Treasury. However, these provisions were not included in the Senate version of the bill and were removed during the House-Senate Conference. This revised version of H.R. 6 was approved by the House of Representatives on November 18, 2003 and currently awaits Senate approval.

Current energy prices illustrate our need to have access to reliable and affordable energy sources. We must explore the options that we have available to us. The Arctic Coastal Plain Domestic Energy Security Act,
H.R. 39, was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 7, 2003. This legislation would create a program for the exploration, development, and production of the oil and gas resources in the Arctic coastal plain. Currently, H.R. 39 is under consideration in the House Committee on Resources.

Should legislation containing provisions regarding ANWR come before the House of Representatives for a vote, I will keep your thoughts in mind. Again, thank you for your letter, and I hope to hear from you in the future.

Sincere regards,
Roy Blunt
Member of Congress

at least there’s a dialogue!

now where is the bill that promotes the preservation of our environment and animal life, and the reduction of our dependence on damaging fuels?

wait a second! that would be the mccain/lieberman bill! and did missouri’s senators vote to approve that bill? NOPE!