Amata says Inouye and Akaka votes crucial to GOP passsage of ANWR bill
November 07, 2005

Amata lauds Inouye and Akaka votes on ANWR

PAGO PAGO. Aumua Amata today expressed appreciation and thanks to Senators Daniel Akaka and Daniel K. Inouye for siding with the Republican majority to pass a bill to allow oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Akaka and Inouye were two of three Democrats who backed the bill in last Thursday's vote of 51-48 on the Senate floor. Both have cited oil benefits for the native Alaskan tribes.

Environmental groups reportedly sent hundreds of letters urging Inouye and Akaka to vote against the bill. Senator Inouye said that he "has always supported drilling in that area." He said he had gotten hundreds of telephone calls from people who condemn oil drilling in the refuge. But he said the benefits of drilling outnumber the ills. Senator Akaka said his support for the bill "has been based upon his visits to certain Arctic villages and assurances from local officials and individuals that they want oil development, while at the same time protecting the environment and cultural traditions."

Aumua explained, "ANWR consists of 19 million acres. The debate in Congress centers solely on a small section of land. Only a tiny amount of the section proposed for exploration would actually be involved in drilling---approximately 2000 acres."

Amata added, "Experts say drilling in a certain specified part of ANWR will not threaten that natural preserve and will increase U.S. energy independence. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that drilling in ANWR could yield up to 16 billion barrels of oil---an amount roughly equal to 30 years of oil imports of Saudi Ariabia. Such a resource would increase our nation's energy security as well."