(FORTUNE Magazine) - While Washington debates yet another measure to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling, Alaska's state legislature is betting that Pac/West Communications, an Oregon PR firm well versed in plugging controversial environmental laws, can whittle the opposition. This spring Eastern blue-staters can watch for campaigns aimed at improving opinions on drilling in 1.5 million of the 19-million-acre refuge. The Department of Energy estimates ANWR drilling would save 1 cent per gallon at the pump by 2025.

Abrahm Lustgarten contributed to this article.