[Mb-civic] CBC News - U.S. SENATE VOTES FOR DRILLING IN ARCTIC REFUGE

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U.S. SENATE VOTES FOR DRILLING IN ARCTIC REFUGE
WebPosted Thu Nov  3 14:11:53 2005

---The U.S. Senate voted Thursday to reject a final attempt to protect
Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge from oil drilling.

Senator Maria Cantwell tried to stop plans to open up the Alaska
wilderness with an amendment, but it was defeated by a vote of 51-48.

 INDEPTH: Oil and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: FAQs

Senators are now expected to approve a budget bill containing a provision
that allows drilling. That approval will likely come this week.

The House of Representatives is expected to debate its own bill regarding
oil drilling next week. Members there have been more adamant than
senators in their support of drilling.

Drilling supporters say the stores of crude would raise $2.4 billion US
in government leasing fees, reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil imports
and create thousands of American jobs.

Canadian officials are opposed to the plan, arguing it will disrupt a
migrating caribou herd that crosses the border and the native groups on
both sides that depend on the caribou. The area is also an important
habitat for migratory birds, polar bears, and other animals.

Opponents in Canada and the U.S. say there is not enough oil in the
refuge to substantially lower gasoline prices, and the crude would not
find its way into the market for at least a decade.

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