Senate budget panel approves ANWR drilling; Senate vote next week

Washington (Platts)--26Oct2005

The US Senate Budget Committee Wednesday took a step toward congressional
authorization of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska by
approving, in a 12-10 vote, a budget reconciliation measure that includes
$2.4-bil in revenues from leasing over the next five years. 

     The budget bill, which will be voted on in the full Senate next week,
requires only a majority vote, unlike other Senate measures, which require 60
votes. 

     The House Budget Committee is expected to take up the measure next week,
with a House floor vote to follow. Any differences in the two bills would have
to be resolved in a negotiating session.

     The House Resources Committee Wednesday afternoon was debating its
portion of the reconciliation bill, which also is expected to include ANWR
drilling and could contain a provision expanding drilling on the US Outer
Continental Shelf.

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