Republican U.S. House candidate Chris Lien Releases ANWR Itinerary
Alaska Governor Sarah Palin set to attend group's news conference
For Immediate Release Contact: Hugh Weber
July 14, 2008 (605) 271 - 8959
Republican U.S. House candidate Chris Lien leaves Monday, July 14 for a four-day, first-hand look at the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) and to meet people who would be affected if ANWR becomes part of a “multi-dimensional energy solution.”
"The best way for me to understand the situation is to see it, up close and personal, and to see what it will take to make a difference,” Lien said. “This trip will focus on looking into domestic energy options as part of a multi-dimensional energy solution to reduce high gas and fuel costs and lessen our dependence on foreign energy.”
Lien will be joined on the tour by six other Republican Congressional candidates: former U.S. Rep. Mike Sodrel, Greg Goode and Luke Puckett of Indiana; Craig Williams, Pennsylvania; Jason Chaffetz, Utah; and Paul Stark, Wisconsin.
Lien will meet with community members, including North Slope Borough Wildlife officials, members of the Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, former and current mayors of the various regions, and residents of the Arctic Slope region. Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin plans to host a news conference with the visitors, scheduled for July 17 at 2:30 p.m. (CST).
"Throughout my life, I've found that to make good judgments you need to meet the people who will ultimately be affected by the decision," Lien said. "We will meet with many people who live it every day.”
Lien said the trip is an opportunity “to get a firm grasp on the reality of the domestic energy options rather than forming opinions based on the constantly changing opinions and statistics from various media outlets.”
“After visiting with so many people across the state, I've learned that the gas and fuel prices are having a major impact on the lives of all of us here,” Lien said. “I am committed to finding solutions, not simply pointing out problems and waiting for a change."
Travel itinerary below:
Again, please keep in mind that all times are Alaskan local time. Alaska is three hours behind MDT and four hours behind CDT.
July 14 – Travel day (arrive in Anchorage at 5:00 p.m.)
July 15
04:30 a.m. - Wake-up
06:00 - Take off from Anchorage
07:00 - Land in Fairbanks
08:00 - Take off for Arctic (90mins+ flight)
10:00 – 12:00
Arrive at Kaktovik and drive to Native Village of Kaktovik (NVK) offices
Meeting with Village elders and Mayor
Tour town and cross channel of water to the mainland
12:00 p.m. - Take off for Prudhoe
12:50 - Arrival Prudhoe
13:00 - Tour existing drilling sites
16:30 - Return to camp
July 16
06:00 - Wake up
10:00 - Talk with oil field workers and conduct telephone interviews
with South Dakota Press
10:30 - Board aircraft for Barrow
12:00 - Arrive in Barrow
Meeting with former Mayor of North Slope, North Slope Borough Wildlife
officials, as well as a possible meeting with Mayor George Ahmaogak
and Oliver Leavitt of Arctic Slope Regional Corp
16:00 - Take off for Fairbanks
18:00 - Arrive in Fairbanks
20:05 Departure from Fairbanks
July 17
07:00-09:00 - Working breakfast with briefing on ANWR politics and
environment, question and answer session, and possible teleconference
with the Mayor of Anchorage.
10:30-12:00 - Press Conference at hotel
12:00 - Transport to restaurant for lunch
14:00 – Telephone interviews with South Dakota press
16:00 - Prepare for departures and fly back to South Dakota (Arrive in
Rapid City at 10am MDT)
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