Juneau -- The Alaska House of Representatives Wednesday overwhelmingly approved House Joint Resolution 11, sponsored by Representative Gail Phillips (R-Homer). HJR 11 urges Congress and the White House to open the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration.

"The Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, set aside by Congress for oil and gas exploration some twenty years ago, contains an estimated 10-16 billion barrels of recoverable oil," said Phillips. "Responsible development of the resource is a 'win-win situation' for Alaska and for the Federal Government. It would help Alaska offset its declining oil revenues while greatly reducing our nation's growing and dangerous reliance on imported oil; at the present time, the United States imports over 58% of the nation's petroleum needs.

"It is estimated that between 250 thousand and 735 thousand jobs would be created by the development of the Coastal Plain," Phillips said. "Many of these jobs will go to Alaskans.

"Past Legislatures have given strong support to opening the Coastal Plain of ANWR," Phillips said. "In 1987 the U.S. Interior Department recommended development. It is also supported by the North Slope Borough and by the majority of Alaskans."

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= Gail Phillips, 111 K