AlaskaWild Update #244

House Approves Arctic Refuge Drilling 225-201
Pro-drilling Side Loses Votes, Senate Passage Highly Unlikely

Thanking those Representatives that voted right is vitally important, as is expressing our dissatisfaction with those who voted wrong.  Take a moment and send an email to your Representative and let them know how you feel about their vote.

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May 25, 2006

In a pathetically shallow attempt to show some progress toward doing anything at all about high gas prices, the House of Representatives passed a bill led by Representative Richard Pombo (R-CA) that would allow drilling in America's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge by a 225-201 vote.

Opposition to the bill was bipartisan.  "We ought not just oppose this bill, we ought to be ashamed of it," said Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY).

Despite the high gas prices, uncertain energy markets, and general uncertainty about future supplies, this was the most votes against the drilling proposal in five years. 

“Support for protecting our most pristine national wildlife is growing everyday,” said Representative Ed Markey (D-MA).  “Today’s vote should send a signal to the [Senate] that support for this ill-founded plan to drill in the Arctic is waning.”

“In the five years since the Bush-Cheney energy plan was negotiated in secret, with Big Oil at the table, energy prices have skyrocketed, and our nation has become more dependent on foreign oil," said Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).  "It’s time for new ideas and solutions to our energy problems," Pelosi added. 

The vote was entirely symbolic (see the Anchorage Daily News article) as it faces a certain death at the hands of an expected bi-partisan filibuster in the Senate.  In years past, drilling supporters have hinged their hopes on passing Arctic drilling as part of the budget, since budgets are not allowed to be filibustered.  This year however, chances for a final House-Senate deal on the budget are "slim", according to Senate Budget Committee Chairman Judd Gregg (R-NH).

Drilling in America's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge won’t bring down the price of gas until 2025, and then by only about a penny per gallon, according to a report from the Department of Energy.  The only real solution to high gasoline costs plaguing families are better gas mileage, energy efficiency and renewable energy sources.

Click here to Take Action.

Erik DuMont
Alaska Wilderness League
122 C Street NW Suite 240
Washington DC 20001
202-544-5205
http://www.alaskawild.org

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