Climate Changed
Arctic Refuge Drilling Moves Closer to Reality With Senate Vote
- Energy panel approves measure for oil sales near Alaskan coast
- Measure estimated to generate $1.1 billion in federal revenue
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Oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge took a significant step forward Wednesday, as the Senate energy committee approved legislation to compel lease sales in the 1.5-million-acre coastal plain along Alaska’s northeast coast -- tying it to tax reform.
The 13-10 committee vote means ANWR drilling is now politically closer than ever to reality. The estimated $1.1 billion in federal revenue it will generate over the next decade offsets proposed tax cuts, binding it to the Republicans’ high-priority overhaul effort and setting it up to pass the Senate on a simple majority vote.