Editor's note: The following commentary first appeared as an email attachment sent to Alaska Dispatch's editor in response to a June 3 news report. The original letter has been reproduced below and is available online in its original format.
Mr. Hopfinger,
A recent article on the Alaska Dispatch website titled "Alaska lobbying group quietly plows ahead to open ANWR" lacked information about the hard work Arctic Power does representing Alaska in its effort to open a small portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to responsible oil exploration.
One of Arctic Power's chief responsibilities is to educate members of congress and the American public that Alaskans strongly endorse drilling activity.
Environmental organizations and even one member of the Alaska House of Representatives have attempted to convince elected officials in the Lower 48 and the American public that Alaskans do not support drilling in ANWR. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Public opinion surveys have consistently shown about 70 percent of Alaskans want drilling in the 1002 area of ANWR and the economic benefits it will create for Alaska and the rest of the country. Arctic Power's job is to make sure that policy makers are made aware of that overwhelming level of support.
Alaska legislators frequently travel to Washington D.C. to meet with members of congress and their staff and discuss how ANWR fits into creating a more secure domestic supply of energy. Arctic Power staff provides invaluable advice on the status of legislation to open and lock up ANWR and how to maximize our time and effort on Capitol Hill.
The odds of opening ANWR may appear remote now -- but change is always part of equation in politics and the energy industry.
Fracking technology and extended reach drilling have revolutionized the domestic oil and gas industry and prove that a greater degree of energy independence is possible without damaging the environment. The next administration combined with new members of congress may be more willing to acknowledge the limits of renewable energy technology and appreciate how non?renewable energy sources will power the economy for decades to come.
Arctic Power receives annual funding from the Alaska Legislature because we believe it is important to have a non?profit organization staffed by Alaskans in the nation's capital working on one of America's most important energy development issues. Alaskans understand we are in this fight for the long haul. Arctic Power will continue to have my support for as long as my constituents allow me to represent them in the Alaska Legislature.
CC: Mike Navarre, Co?chair, Arctic Power Eric Helzer, Co?chair, Arctic Power Adrian Herrera, Arctic Power
Charisse Millett represents District 24 in the Alaska House of Representatives.
The views expressed here are the writer's own and are not necessarily endorsed by Alaska Dispatch, which welcomes a broad range of viewpoints. To submit a piece for consideration, e-mail commentary(at)alaskadispatch.com.