Rep. Kurt Olson, R-Soldotna, says he hopes to put some pressure on Washington's congressional delegation, which opposes opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.
Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell, a Democrat, often spearheads the Senate's opposition to legislation authorizing drilling in the refuge.
"Certainly, we're not going to hold the state of Washington hostage," until its delegation supports drilling, Olson said. The resolution is more of an "exercise born in frustration," he said.
Olson is backing a resolution to terminate stops to Bellingham, Wash., a gateway to Alaska for ferry passengers from the Lower 48.
Bellingham chief administrative officer Malcolm Fleming said the issues of drilling and ferry transportation should be kept separate.
"If they want economic development and jobs, why would they cut off that transportation system? That doesn't make any sense to me," he told the Juneau Empire.
Fleming said much time and money is spent each year preserving Bellingham's relationship with Alaska to continue the ferry service.
The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities said about 23,234 people since July have ridden the Columbia, which is the only ship in the Alaska Marine Highway System that stops in Bellingham.
The department does not expect the Bellingham stop to be eliminated, said spokesman John Manly.
"It would be like cutting off our nose in front of our face," he said.
The Bellingham terminal is crucial for many travelers. Some of them are not allowed to drive through Canada because they have DUI convictions, Manly said.
The resolution is sitting in the state's House Transportation Committee. Olson said he would wait until he talks it over with Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, next month before requesting a hearing. Stevens has spent years leading the push for drilling legislation in Congress.
"A number of us share Sen. Ted Stevens' frustration," Olson said.
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