"The U.S. Senate today approved legislation that does not reflect my budget priorities. In addition, it contains a significant provision that is harmful to the environment, and it does nothing to provide additional funding to help low-income Americans heat their homes this winter. I could not support this legislation.
"I am very disappointed about the provision opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling for oil. For the first time ever, this bill provides the legal language that would unwisely open the environmentally fragile Arctic Refuge to drilling, when we should be protecting this national treasure.
"I believe we need to create a balanced energy policy that increases supply, decreases demand, and protects the environment. For example, I support reducing the backlog of applications for development rights on federal lands that are already approved for oil and gas exploration.
"However, since 95 percent of Alaska's oil rich lands are already open to oil exploration and drilling, there is no reason to open a national wildlife refuge to further drilling. Drilling in ANWR would threaten a pristine, 19-million acre Refuge that is home to a wide variety of plants and animals including caribou, polar bears, grizzly bears, wolves, and migratory birds.
"The best way to decrease our reliance on foreign oil and to reduce energy prices is to increase energy efficiency and further develop alternative energy sources. By simply increasing the fuel efficiency standards for SUVs, we could save more than 1 million barrels of oil per day. Not only would improving efficiency standards save more oil than we could extract from ANWR, it would also yield savings for consumers, and moderate oil prices more rapidly.
"Furthermore, with the cold winter months quickly approaching and the cost of energy still at record highs, it is critical that we provide additional dollars to help low-income Americans heat their homes with the help of the LIHEAP program.
"At a time when huge oil corporations are posting record profits, it makes no sense to continue providing these companies with special subsidies and tax breaks. These are dollars that could be better directed to the LIHEAP program- a proposal I have advocated.
"It is troubling that a single oil company can earn nearly $10 billion in profits in a single quarter, yet, too many Mainers must choose between putting food on their tables or heating their homes. I will continue to search for other ways in the Senate to increase funding for LIHEAP."
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