(JUNEAU) - Alaska's voice on opening the "1002 area of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge" to oil and gas exploration and production is once again enroute to Washington D.C.

The House of Representatives passed Senate Joint Resolution 4 on Wednesday. SJR 4 urges the Congress of the United States to allow oil and gas exploration in the 1002 area of ANWR, which was specifically set aside for resource exploration and production purposes under the Carter administration.

"We have heard the stars are aligned and that ANWR has a good chance this year," said Sen. Tom Wagoner (R-Kenai/Soldotna), who sponsored this year's resolution. "But that does not mean we will sit back and hope for the best. This resolution, which passed both bodies of legislature, with strong bi-partisan support, again illustrates Alaska's unified position on this critical resource, economic and now security issue."

SJR 4 will now be forwarded to the President of the United States, and our State's Congressional delegation.

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