Office of the Secretary

For Immediate Release: July 17, 2001

Contact: Mark Pfeifle 202/208-6416

Statement from Interior Secretary Gale Norton on the
Bipartisan House Resource Committee Vote
"Congress is moving forward with the President's plan for environmentally safe
energy production to strengthen America's energy security," said Norton

(WASHINGTON) - Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton issued the following response to the U.S. House Resources Committee's bipartisan vote today to further the President's plan for environmentally safe energy production in a small portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, commonly known as the 1002 area.

"The committee vote reinforces a strong bipartisan force - including Democrats, labor leaders and Alaskan natives - is working toward environmentally responsible energy production in the 1002 area," said Norton.

The Resources Committee vote comes on the heels of last Thursday's bipartisan vote to allow environmentally safe oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico's Outer Continental Shelf.

"Congress is working together with the President in a bipartisan way to support energy production that protects our environment and strengthens America's energy security," said Norton. "The President's plan seeks stability from traditional energy sources for the next few decades - while at the same time diversifying our energy future by expanding geothermal, wind, solar and other renewable energy sources."

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