ANWR had votes to clear Senate panel

FROM THE ARCHIVE

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2001

There were enough votes on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee to allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Democrat leaders concluded.

Democratic members Daniel Akaka (Hawaii) and Mary Landrieu (La.) were willing to vote for oil and gas development, said their aides. So chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) and Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) pulled the bill from committee consideration.

The move has angered pro-drilling supporters like Frank Murkowski of Alaska, the ranking Republican on the panel.

The House has approved drilling in 2,000 acres of the refuge. Drilling is supported by Inupiat Eskimos who live in ANWR's coastal plain.

Gwich'in Natives, who depend on caribou in the refuge, oppose development.

Get the Story:
Daschle Stops Panel's Consideration of Energy Bill (The Washington Post 10/11)
Daschle irks drill backers (The Anchorage Daily News 10/11)

Relevant Links:
Gwich'in Steering Committee - http://www.alaska.net/~gwichin
Oil Issues in ANWR, US Fish and Wildlife - http://arctic.fws.gov/issues1.html
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, US Fish and Wildlife Service - http://arctic.fws.gov
The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, Pro-Development site - http://www.anwr.org