Editor's Note:  Take a moment.  Take a breath.  We have, for once, some good news here.  The Iraq war has saved ANWR. - wrp

     Senate Rejects Oil Drilling in Alaskan Refuge
     Reuters

     Wednesday 19 March 2003

     In a defeat for President George W. Bush, the U.S. Senate narrowly voted Wednesday to maintain a ban on oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

     The Senate vote struck language attached to the 2004 budget resolution that would have opened the Alaska refuge to drilling and collected more than $2 billion in leasing fees from oil companies. Republicans added the provision to the budget resolution because it needs only 50 votes to pass, unlike most controversial bills which require 60 votes to end debate before a floor vote.

     Opening the pristine refuge on Alaska's northern coast was the centerpiece of the Bush administration's proposed energy policy. The White House wants to tap the refuge's potential 16 billion barrels of crude to help reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil imports.

     However, environmentalists and many Democrats argue the wilderness should be left untouched in favor of stricter oil conservation measures.

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