After Alaska disruption, governors look at the national energy policy

At the summer meeting of the National Governors Association, governors reacted to news of the Prudhoe Bay oil field shutdown by suggesting a renewed focus in developing a national energy policy. Proponents of drilling in the Alaskan National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) have often cited Prudhoe Bay's once-positive environmental record to dismiss environmentalists' arguments regarding ANWR. Despite this, many of the governors at the conference used the recent incident to call for opening ANWR to drilling. Gov. Haley Barbour (R-MS) said the problem was environmentalists and others who fight increased drilling and pipeline construction. "We need supply to grow. That means more drilling like (proposals to open ANWR), more nuclear energy, more coal to liquid," he said. "We see how the shortsightedness of not-in-my-backyard resistance can cause enormous reduction in supply, which is going to result in higher prices." In Washington, Gov. George Pataki (R-NY) offered a 10-year energy program calling for tax credits for fuel-efficient cars and development of alternative fuels in a speech to the National Press Club. Asked about drilling in ANWR, Pataki said, "There's no question we have to expand domestic production of oil. I think you've just seen this afternoon what happened unless we have reliable additional sources that are convenient to the market. So yes, we need to open up more places for oil exploration and drilling." After the appearance, Pataki told reporters he did not mean to "rule in or rule out any particular area," including ANWR, for oil drilling. Governors from both parties said the disruption would hopefully spur a willingness to tackle a more ambitious approach to energy. Gov. Janet Napolitano (D-AZ) said she was waiting to hear more to understand the wider impact. "It's just further confirmation of the fact that we need a national energy policy. It's further confirmation that our continued dependence on foreign oil is a problem."