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The Honorable [insert name] Select from these Congressional Committee Name

May, xx, 2007

Dear Congressman xxx yyy;

I strongly urge you to oppose efforts to limit reasonable access to our nation’s abundant oil and gas resources, including efforts to impose a moratorium on oil and gas leasing in Alaska’s North Aleutian Basin.  Environmentally responsible energy development should be encouraged, particularly where regional support is strong and the benefits of offshore activity would serve local and national interests.

Consumers, industry and businesses are struggling with rising energy prices, tighter supplies and increased reliance on imports from politically unstable areas. The Federal government must act to protect and expand thoughtful access to domestic oil and natural gas supplies.  Your support for a sensible energy policy that safely and effectively utilizes U.S. resources will help industries that rely on crude and natural gas, strengthen national security and provide needed jobs as we open new areas to development.

Measures to close off the Alaska’s North Aleutian Basin, tolimit future U.S. energy production, to increase royalty payments and to hamper recently streamlined permitting processes are not in the Nation’s best interest. As Congress simultaneously develops climate and energy policies that would increase the need for natural gas and other domestic resources, further stretching an already strained domestic supply

Oil and natural gas production is critical to the U.S. economy.  For example:

• Oil provides 97 percent of U.S. transportation fuel, and U.S. consumers paid billions more in 2005 for increased transportation fuel costs.
• During 2003/04, U.S. farmers paid $6 billion more than prior years for energy-related expenses.
• High energy prices (particularly natural gas) have cost the economy 2.8 million U.S. jobs since 2000.
• Since 2004, high energy prices have slowed U.S. economic growth by 0.5 to 1.0 percent.

Offshore oil and gas development promises to create more resilient, diversified local economies. With an estimated 466 trillion cubic feet of natural gas resources and 91 billion barrels of oil in U.S. offshore waters, enough domestic energy is to heat 100 million homes for 60 years or drive 85 million cars for 35 years. Federal and state governments stand to realize billions of dollars in royalty revenue if access is increased.

I urge you to work with other members of Congress to develop a sensible energy plan that more effectively uses all our domestic energy resources.

Sincerely,

[Your name and current address]