Senate Votes to Allow Arctic Drilling

[Michael]

Amid the backdrop of soaring oil and gasoline prices, a sharply divided Senate on Wednesday voted to open the ecologically rich Alaska wildlife refuge to oil drilling, delivering a major energy policy win for President Bush.

The Senate, by a 51-49 vote, rejected an attempt by Democrats and GOP moderates to remove a refuge drilling provision from next year's budget, preventing opponents from using a filibuster — a tactic that has blocked repeated past attempts to open the Alaska refuge to oil companies.

The action, assuming Congress agrees on a budget, clears the way for approving drilling in the refuge later this year, drilling supporters said.

Full story...

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=3&u=/ap/20050316/ap_on_go_co/arctic_drilling

[MnVeggie]

:gun:


At least I don't feel guilty, though, because I emailed my Senators about this several times. Now I'll have to find out whether they voted for drilling or against, and if they voted for, then they'll REALLY get some emails. :evil:

[Amy SF]

I'm betting some of those bastards will be up for reelection next year. Let's throw 'em all out.

[crystalteacup]

I hope people realize that the oil in the artic isn't a high enough grade for US use and the majority of it will be sold to countries where standards for oil are lower. We aren't reducing our dependence on middle east oil any less by destroying our wilderness. :(

[jenna rose]

Oh my god.....I'm extremely pissed off right now.

I had written to people and passed out some things and signed petitions and emailed people telling them about it and telling them to pass on the knowledge and do what they could to help.

God, I'm pissed. :wall: :furious:

[Hansbos]

It is weird. Many Republicans voted against this provision (including McCain), but the two senators from Hawaii (both Democrats) supported it. Why? Wouldn't their constituents in Hawaii be compassionate about the environment?

This is a huge setback and it looks like there is no more way to stop it. :(

[xrodolfox]

:furious:

[Coney]

:furious: :furious: :furious:

:down: They've not heard the last from me on this one. Down with the Senate.

I agree with Jenna--God, I'm pissed.

[jenna rose]

Just got this email a couple of minutes ago

(only posting the part that has to do with this thread, though)

NRDC's EARTH ACTION:
The Bulletin for Environmental Activists
March 16, 2005
========================================
In This Issue:
--Updates on Previous Alerts--
1. Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
2. Mercury pollution rule
3. "Clear Skies" bill
================================================== ====
(Please do not reply to this message; see the instructions below for how to
unsubscribe or contact NRDC with questions or comments.)
==========================
Updates on Previous Alerts
==========================
1. ARCTIC NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Yesterday we sent an emergency alert asking you to urge your senators to vote to remove language from the budget resolution that would allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. You swamped the Senate with almost 30,000 messages in just a few hours, but we are heartbroken to have to report that, just a few hours ago, the effort to remove the Arctic drilling provision failed by a vote of 49-51.
The following is a statement by NRDC's legislative director Karen
Wayland: "Drilling the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge won't make a dent in gas
prices at the pump or break our dependence on Middle East oil. This was really
a vote for Big Oil, not for the solid majority of Americans who oppose turning
America's last great wilderness into a vast, polluted oil field. President Bush
and his Senate allies resorted to a sneaky budget maneuver to get their way.
Now, Congress is one step closer to trading away an irreplaceable national
treasure for a few drops of oil that we wouldn't see for a decade or more. If
the oil industry can drill in the Arctic Refuge, then no place, no matter how
pristine, will be safe. But there is still have a lot of political tundra to
cross before this fight is over. We'll keep battling them every step of the
way."
Although this is a hugely discouraging loss for all of us, as Karen notes, the
battle is far from over. We'll be in touch very soon to let you know the next
time we need you to raise your voice in defense of this national treasure
(thankfully, Congress is about to recess for the next two weeks, so we all have time to catch our breaths as we prepare for the next round). Thanks to each and every one of you for your continued help and support in this fight.

[ComradeTassadar]

!!!!!!!!

Why would those two from Hawaii switch? IIRC, Hawaii is a very environmentally-conscious state...Bah! This makes me very angry :q: