January 16, 2008

Ms. Quilla Miralia

4250 Huntington Forest Blvd

Jacksonville, FL 32257

Dear Ms. Miralia:

           Thank you for contacting me to express your opinion regarding opening up a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR) to potential oil and gas drilling. I appreciate your taking the time to share your thoughts with me on this matter.

           Events of the past few years - including skyrocketing energy bills and gas prices, rolling blackouts in California, OPEC's ongoing decisions regarding their production of oil supply - make it clear that we must address our nation's energy policies. They also make it clear that the previous Administration did not have a comprehensive national energy strategy. On November 2, 2004,President Bush was re-elected with pledges to increase U.S.energy supplies and renew his earlier strategydescribed as the President's National Energy Policy of May 2001. This strategy addressed both our demand for energy and our supply - both foreign and domestic. These factors are inextricably intertwined. We cannot negotiate as we should with OPEC until we have some leverage, and that means addressing domestic supply issues. Thus, the President's strategy, and ultimately, Congress' debate, has included consideration of how we can maximize our access to energy reserves on our own lands, including ANWR.

           As you know, ANWR is a 19-million acre refuge in Alaska. But the area that is being considered for exploration and development has been limited to only 2,000 acres. Beneath that land, the U.S. Geological Survey and the federal Energy Information Administration estimate that there could be as much as 16 billion barrels of oil, rivaling current production at Alaska's Prudhoe Bay. Clearly, 16 billion barrels will not be the panacea to our energy problems now or in the future, but it could be an important part of a broader strategy.

           The Alaskan Congressional delegation, the Governor of Alaska, and more than 3 out of every 4 Alaskans supports exploration of this potential supply. They recognize that there are ways that we can pursue this proposal without damaging the environment that they hold more precious than any of us because it is their home. Throughout my service in government, I have tried to maintain a balanced approach to all issues, including those regarding our environment. I believe that we must be good stewards of our natural resources and pass along a healthy environment for our children and grandchildren, but we must be equally good stewards of our economic resources and pass along a strong and viable economy for future generations.

           Again, I want to thank you for taking the time to contact me. Rest assured that I will continue to keep your thoughts in mind as Congress meets over the coming months. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any further assistance on this or any other matter.

Sincerely,

f

ANDER CRENSHAW

Member of Congress

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