 Stevens Cites Inconsistencies In National Newspapers' Editorial Position on ANWR Says Washington Post and New York Times were previously in favor of drilling April 12, 2002
In 1987 and 1989 The Washington Post argued in favor of proceeding with exploration on the Arctic Coast and 1987 wrote, "...that part of the arctic coast is one of the bleakest, most remote places on this continent, and there is hardly any other place where drilling would have less impact on surrounding life... That oil could help ease the country's transition to lower oil supplies... Congress would be right to go ahead and, with all the conditions and environmental precautions that apply to Prudhoe Bay, see what's under the refuge's tundra..." Stevens pointed out that in 2000 a Washington Post editorial stated, referring to President Bush, "He'll also have to make the case that in the long run, the oil to be gained is worth the potential damage to this unique, wild and biologically vital ecosystem." With regard to The Washington Post's editorial change of position, Stevens said, "They made the case in 1987. President Bush can make it now. Where is the consistency of The Washington Post? What has changed? The management of the Post? They haven't produced any new science on which to base their new claims." The Senator also noted that drilling technology has improved since 1987, thereby reducing environmental impact. Stevens said in 1989 The New York Times wrote, "... The single most promising source of oil in America lies on the north coast of Alaska, a few hundred miles east of the big fields at Prudhoe Bay." In 2001 they wrote, "The country needs a rational energy strategy... but the first step in that strategy should not be to start punching holes in the Arctic Refuge." "What happened to The New York Times? Yes, another change in management. Maybe they hired one of the radical environmentalists, but that is not a national newspaper that deserves any credibility. How can you believe them one year and have them turn around and tell us what they said before in 1987, 1988, and 1989 is wrong. They didn't even recognize in their more recent editorials that they had taken those earlier positions. The young people of today, reading The New York Times' editorial pages, won't know about their inconsistency unless some of us call them to task," said Stevens. Stevens concluded his floor statement by remarking, "I'm sad that the Senate Majority Leadership now tells us the we must have sixty votes. I want to close by saying that Alaska's Senators are going to try to persevere too. We're going to stay here and the Senate is going to stay here until we do get sixty votes next week."
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