Press Releases

Today, U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after President Obama announced yesterday that his Administration, including the Department of Interior, is seeking to prevent energy development and designate more than 12 million acres of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) as a highly restrictive wilderness area, including 1.5 million acres of Coastal Plain area, which would prohibit any oil or natural gas drilling:

“The president’s decision to cripple domestic energy production in Alaska and throughout the country demonstrates just how hollow his promises are from less than one week ago during his State of the Union address. While our nation stands on the brink of an energy revolution that could fuel real economic growth, this president has once again chosen to align himself with his extreme environmentalist supporters over the welfare of the American people. This action continues the disturbing trend of an Administration that consistently chooses ideology over commonsense.

“Designating more than 60% of ANWR as wilderness and preventing multiple-use and resource development on 12.28 million acres is horrible public policy. Along with reduced domestic energy production, a wilderness designation blocks road usage to travel and explore this region while completely banning all public motorized access, an essential method of transportation in Alaska.

“I echo the outrage voiced unanimously by Alaska’s Congressional delegation over this intentionally harmful overreach. It is clear that this administration is no longer serious about solving the very real energy challenges facing our nation and would rather set the stage for Democrats running for president in 2016.

“Thankfully, Congress is required to approve designations under the Wilderness Act and I will strongly oppose this misguided effort that will harm future generations. As a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, I will continue to fight the Administration’s constant executive overreach and focus on fostering an environment for job creation and developing realistic solutions to America’s energy challenges.”

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