Secretary's new assistant, however, finds support with Alaska's delegation. But other issues dominate committee's discussions. After serving for months as the flash point of the national energy policy debate, the controversy over whether to allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge raised only a few sparks Wednesday when Interior Secretary Gale Norton spoke to a House committee on the energy potential of federal lands. Last day as Energy Committee chairman brings one more pitch for national energy bill. Money for lease study in region spurs Democrats to action.
Writers support keeping refuge a wild place.
Hank Lentfer lives in a cabin in Gustavus with wood heat, hand-pumped water and no appliances because he doesn't like the noise electrical conveniences make. He spends his time writing, making music and pursuing simplicity. So even he is surprised at how he spent his winter doing pretty much the opposite. No one is admitting defeat or dancing in victory. Few are willing to publicly pronounce it dead.