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JUNEAU - Alaska's congressman, Don Young, defended his heavy use of earmarks Monday morning, over coffee at the Juneau Chamber of Commerce.

"I got these earmarks, and I believe in these earmarks very strongly," he said.

Energy topped the congressman's agenda in his remarks.

Young said he was pushing for oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge that would help reduce the nation's imports of oil.

Young supported this year's proposal from state Speaker of the House John Harris, R-Valdez, to fund renewable energy projects, including coal, up to $21 billion.

Young also criticized Gov. Sarah Palin's proposal to hand out $1,200 checks to Alaskans for their fuel costs this winter.