Where Caribou Herds and Polar Bears Play

Well, it looks as if we might really lose the last great wilderness left in what we call the United States of America. The Senate voted this afternoon not to accept Senator Cantwell's amendment to exclude the ANWR drilling language from the budget legislation. It was a brave last-ditch attempt on Cantwell's part, and it only failed by 3 votes. Three votes, ladies and gentlemen, three measely votes (I'm not at all sure that's the correct spelling of measely? - measly? - measeley? Don't think I've ever written the word before.).

Access to Alaska oil, revenue closer. Senate votes to keep drilling language in budget bill
WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) - With rising oil prices and record oil company profits serving as a backdrop, the Senate moved one step closer on Thursday to allow companies to drill for oil and gas in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

The Senate beat back an amendment offered by Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., to strike language from a pending budget reconciliation bill that would open the region to producers.

The amendment failed in a vote of 48-51.

The potential oil to be pulled out of the coastal plain of the ANWR is at best a year's supply for this country, and would not be available for at least ten years. What this is about right now is lease money for the government, immediate jobs in Alaska from construction and operation of new oil facilities. In the House bill, to be voted on next week, approval for off-shore oil drilling (after a 24-year federal moratorium) and a measure making it easier for mining companies to gain control of public land are also included.

It ain't over til it's over, we haven't yet given away our heritage for a mess of pottage, but it's looking more and more likely to happen. The House will take this up next week. Please go to the NRDC ActionFund site and donate what you can in order to run ads in the districts of the three HR votes needed to defeat this in the House. If you can't donate, at least call your representatives' offices and tell them America wants to keep this natural national treasure. Check out your Senator's vote today - if you're pleased with it, thank him/her. If you're unhappy, let her/him know about it, in no uncertain terms.

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