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Republicans want to drill in ANWR

Arctic native people of the Gwich'in Nation form a human banner on the banks of the Porcupine River near Ft. Yukon, Alaska, with a message to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil development on July 21, 2010. UPI/Camila Roy/HO
Arctic native people of the Gwich'in Nation form a human banner on the banks of the Porcupine River near Ft. Yukon, Alaska, with a message to protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil development on July 21, 2010. UPI/Camila Roy/HO | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- Responsible energy production in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska could help with economic recovery, a Republican lawmaker said.

U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, said tapping into hydrocarbon resources on less than 3 percent of the 20 million-acre Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska could provide a boost to the U.S. economy.

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The U.S. Geological Survey estimates there are at least 5.7 billion barrels of technically recoverable crude oil and natural gas liquids within the so-called 1002 Area of ANWR.

Republican lawmakers, following U.S. President Barack Obama's speech Thursday outlining his jobs proposal, said the plan had a few shortcomings, notably in domestic energy production.

"Faced with record deficits, near double-digit unemployment and high gasoline prices, lawmakers should not take any job-creating options off the table," Hastings said in a statement on ANWR drilling.

The U.S. Energy Information Agency says total production from ANWR would represent, at most, around 1 percent of the total world oil consumption.

Hasting's committee considers ANWR proposals during a session Wednesday.

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