Saving the refuge from drilling has been a top priority--and a successful one--for the environmental movement. Yesterday marked latest round in a battle that has been raised almost annually for over a decade.

Environmentalists scrambled this week to block the sudden emergence of the newest attack on ANWR, pointing out that even if drilling were to begin immediately, not one gallon of oil would reach the market for at least 10 years--and the price of gasoline at the pump, after 20 years, would drop by one penny.

"If Congress were serious about doing something on energy issues, they'd focus on efficiency, conservation and renewable fuels rather than trotting out the same old drilling plan again," said William H. Meadows, president of the Wilderness Society.

The bill's sponsors trotted out their standard claims that drilling in ANWR would be good for jobs and the economy. Environmental experts countered that the drilling advocates are using "wildly exaggerated" numbers. Environmentalists assert that the real winner, if drilling should occur, will be EXXON/Mobil, which stands to add billions more dollars to the record profits it is already reaping.

There was no word yesterday as to when the issue may come before the Senate, which in the past has acted more responsibly than the House in protecting the refuge.

Energy experts agree that the only meaningful ways to reduce America's dangerous dependence on foreign oil are through prompt, strong conservation measures and a mandated increase in automobile fuel efficiency standards, known as CAFE. But Congress has refused to raise CAFE standards despite years of urging by energy and environmental experts, and has done little to support conservation.

"Congress should stop playing games on energy policy," said Athan Manuel, preservation program director for U.S. PIRG, "and get serious by enacting policies that promote renewable energy and increase gas mileage standards for cars, light trucks and SUVs."

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