Maple Shade. N.J.— Congressman Rob Andrews (D-Haddon Heights) today called on President Bush to abandon efforts to begin drilling for oil in Alaska's Artic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).  Speaking to environmental education and biology students at Maple Shade high school, Andrews cited recent catastrophes in the Galapagos Islands and the sinking of an oil platform off the coast of Brazil as evidence that ANWR should be left untouched and suggested sensible alternatives to reduce the Nation's energy demand.

"ANWR is the last pristine frontier in the United States.  I agree that we must address the Nation's energy needs, but I support efforts aimed at demand reduction, expansion of existing domestic supplies, and diversification of energy sources rather than opening ANWR," said Rep. Andrews. "Drilling for oil is not a proper use of this region.  It will only take one oil spill to destroy thousands of acres pristine land and cause irrevocable harm to the wildlife of ANWR.  We should leave ANWR alone."

ANWR is located in Northeast Alaska and was first set aside as a National Wildlife Preserve in 1960.   It is 19.2 million acres, which is approximately the size of South Carolina. ANWR is the largest Wildlife Refuge in the United States and represents over 20% of the land set aside as part of the U.S National Wildlife Refuge System. There are 44 mammal, 169 bird and 36 fish species that make their homes on the Refuge.   Two endangered species are found on ANWR. The peregrine falcon lives within the Refuge and the bowhead whale lives offshore. 

According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service the cumulative biological consequences of oil field development that may be expected in the Arctic Refuge include: 

· Blocking, deflecting or disturbing wildlife
· Loss of subsistence hunting opportunities 
· Increased predation by arctic fox, gulls and ravens on nesting birds due to introduction of garbage as a consistent food source 
· Alteration of natural drainage patterns, causing changes in vegetation 
· Deposition of alkaline dust on tundra along roads, altering vegetation over a much larger area than the actual width of the road 
· Local pollutant haze and acid rain from nitrogen oxides, methane and particulate matter emissions 
· Contamination of soil and water from fuel and oil spills

Congressman Andrews is an original cosponsor of legislation (H.R. 770) to permanently protect the Artic National Wildlife Refuge from oil and gas development.  The bill was introduced into the 107th Congress on February 28, 2001.

Rep. Andrews also offered alternatives that concentrate on demand reduction.  Last year, Rep. Andrews wrote to President Clinton supporting changes in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) law, which would tighten regulations on fuel consumption standards for passenger cars.  He supported a bill to authorize the Department of Transportation, pursuant to a study by the National Academy of Science (NAS) to recommend "appropriate" CAFE standards, subject to approval by a Joint Resolution of Congress.  The results of this study will be available during the Summer of 2001.

"This program is critical to reducing US dependence on foreign oil, cutting air and carbon dioxide pollution. The current standards save more than three million barrels of oil per day, and save the owner of an average new car $3,000 at the gas pump," said Rep. Andrews.  "However, we still use almost 20 million barrels a day, contributing over $50 billion to our merchandise trade deficit.  Improved standards will reduce oil consumption, benefiting the economy and our nation's energy security."

As part of an entire day devoted to improving the Nation's energy policy, Andrews toured Vaughn Oil in Magnolia, N.J to highlight recent energy conservation successes and the future savings that would result from the National Oilheat Research Alliance (NORA), which Rep. Andrews helped to enact last year.  The new law allows fuel oil dealers to contribute a percentage of their profits toward a fund for which a portion will be used to promote energy conservation in the fuel oil industry.

One example of the energy conservation measures that have taken place is the reduction in the number of gallons of heating oil annually consumed by an average home.  According to the Energy Research Center of Easton, CT, the average homeowner in the Northeast annually consumed 1,718 gallons of heating oil in 1974, compared to 943 gallons by 1999, nearly a 40% reduction.  This dramatic reduction is the result of improved equipment design and operating efficiency, specifically the flame retention burner.  The flame retention burner increased the energy efficiency in these units by 15% and also dramatically reduced emissions.  The NORA law will help to promote continued research and development of equipment similar to the flame retention burner.

In Gibbstown, N.J., Rep. Andrews addressed members of the Plant Executives Group, an association of the heads of local industrial companies in South Jersey, on the issues concerning of energy deregulation legislation.  Congressman Andrews explained that without proper standards for deregulation that include minimum infrastructure requirements to sell power, many other states will begin to feel the power crunch that California is currently experiencing. 

Rep. Andrews concluded his day in Voorhees, N.J. at a roundtable meeting with administrators of Social Services from Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties regarding the federally funded Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).  NJ LIHEAP provides home heating and energy assistance to low-income families and seniors and households with a family of four making less than $47,655.  Last winter, 120,000 households in New Jersey received an average benefit of $305 for a total of $89.3 million statewide.  Local administrators of LIHEAP discussed ways in which Rep. Andrews can work with them to help to improve this successful program.  The House Majority froze spending for LIHEAP at last year's funding levels.  Rep. Andrews has supported a $3 million dollar increase.