Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson cosponsored legislation to reduce energy prices and improve our energy independence by developing domestic sources of oil. H.R. 6107, the American Energy Independence and Price Reduction Act, would open the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to drilling within 25 months.

"Our country has a crippling dependence on foreign sources oil," Simpson said. "As long as we refuse to develop domestic sources of oil, we continue to threaten our own nation’s security by increasing our dependence on a volatile, foreign-based energy supply."

There are currently billions of barrels of oil in ANWR, in the Outer Continental Shelf, and on federal lands that hold oil and gas reserves, but current law forbids oil and gas leasing in many of these areas. New technologies allow for oil and gas exploration and production with little impact on the environment, leaving a very small footprint while providing for the needs of fish and wildlife.

H.R. 6107 opens 2000 acres of ANWR—one-hundredth of one percent of the wildlife refuge—to development and ensures that environmental regulations and restrictions are in place. Any revenue from the ANWR leases would be used to develop alternative and renewable energy sources.

"The energy crisis we face is a direct result of a poor energy policy that has been in place for decades. Reducing energy prices long term will require a comprehensive solution," Simpson said. "Developing domestic sources of oil must be a key part of this effort, as should advancing new nuclear energy technologies, conservation, and increasing our investment in alternative fuel sources."

The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that there is enough oil in ANWR to replace all the oil that Americans currently buy from Venezuela for 30 years.