Rep. Stahl offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 344.

            A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to permit drilling for oil and gas resources in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

            Whereas, Congress enacted the Alaska National Interests Lands Conservation Act in 1980, which established the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) consisting of 19 million acres in northeast Alaska. Although drilling has never been allowed in the refuge, ANWR's 1.5 million acre coastal plain, known as the ANWR 1002 area, is currently viewed as one of the most likely United States onshore oil and gas prospects; and

            Whereas, In 2001, the United States Geological Survey estimated that the total quantity of technically recoverable oil within the ANWR 1002 area is between 5.7 and 16.0 billion barrels of crude oil. Additionally, projections indicate that roughly one-third more oil may be found under adjacent state and native lands. These data underestimate the total hydrocarbons that could be produced since the projections do not include the natural gas or natural gas liquids that may be produced if drilling in the ANWR 1002 area is permitted; and

            Whereas, While ANWR remains untapped, the nation's need for hydrocarbons has risen dramatically. The competition between the United States' growing energy need and that of the rest of the world has driven the price of oil to record levels. These skyrocketing prices affect not only the industrial and commercial sectors of society, but ordinary citizens as well. The average retail price in the Midwest for a gallon of regular gasoline is up nearly 60 cents from this time last year.

            Whereas, Federal law prohibits oil and gas development or leasing or other development leading to oil and gas production in the entire expanse of ANWR unless it is authorized by an act of Congress. The ever growing world petroleum demand makes this the right time for Congress to act to open ANWR to drilling; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That we memorialize the Congress of the United States to permit drilling for oil and gas resources in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.