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ANWR: Pro-drilling bill passes in House Resources Committee Provision was part of a Republican energy bill containing financial incentives for other types of energy development Steve Sutherlin PNA News Editor
The U.S. House Resources Committee voted 26-17 on July 17 to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil exploration.
The ANWR provision was part of a Republican energy bill that also contains financial incentives for other types of energy development.
Some committee Democrats voted yes on the bill; others tried to strike Title 5, the ANWR section, but failed by a margin of 19-30.
Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., spoke out against the measure but was challenged by Rep. Don Young to learn first hand about the issue rather than describe conditions he has never seen.
“Title 5 would end the pristine wilderness condition of the refuge and replace it with the industrial trappings of oil development — a huge pipeline, smaller feeder pipelines, drill pads and haul roads and gathering facilities and leaky valves,” said Markey.
The area that would be drilled, the coastal plain, is critical habitat for the Porcupine caribou herd, which each summer performs “one of the last great migratory miracles of nature,” he said.
The country would not need to drill in the refuge if it raised vehicle fuel efficiency standards by only two miles per gallon, Markey said.
“My biggest challenge today is not to either (start) crying or laughing at the last presentation,” Young said. “Mr. Markey, I do not believe you’ve ever been to ANWR, have you?”
Young was correct on that score. Kudos from Murkowski Sen. Frank Murkowski, ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, praised the House Resources Committee July 17 for approving legislation that includes provisions to allow for ANWR exploration.
“Today’s bipartisan victory clearly shows the broad amount of support for safe exploration in ANWR,” Murkowski said. “Obviously, reports of ANWR’s demise have been greatly exaggerated.”
Murkowski had a special message for Sen. Tom Daschle who in May used his newly found visibility as Senate majority leader to pronounce the ANWR issue dead.
“Senator Daschle needs to recognize America’s current energy crisis and his responsibility to help find a solution. With the House moving quickly toward a vote on a comprehensive, balanced solution, it is high time for the Senate to follow suit,” Murkowski said.
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