Legislation to open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge passed the House Committee on Resources late July 17.
The committee reported H.R. 1324, the Energy Security Act, on a 26-17 vote. ANWR drilling opponents unsuccessfully sought to substitute their own energy proposal, but it failed largely along party lines. A provision sponsored by Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.) to ban oil companies from exporting future ANWR oil passed.
Other amendments offered by Democrats failed, leaving the proposal similar to how Republican House leaders drafted it (OGJ Online, July 9, 2001). Along with ANWR leasing, the bill would extend deepwater royalty relief, encourage the use of royalty in-kind payments for production from federal lands, and force the US Forest Service to consult with the Department of the Interior when considering drilling bans in "roadless" areas. Two Democrats, Eni Faleomavaega of American Samoa and Brad Carson of Oklahoma, joined Republicans in passing the legislation.
The victory for the Republican-led House leadership is probably fleeting. Republican leaders have acknowledged the ANWR provisions are likely to be abandoned by the time the bill reaches the House floor because a strong coalition of Democrats and moderate Republicans from coastal areas do not want expanded drilling.
The House already has signaled that sentiment in two spending bills. Amendments to the Interior and Energy and Water appropriations bills postpone the eastern Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 181 and ban future drilling in the Great Lakes (OGJ Online, June 28, 2001).
In the Democratic-controlled Senate, leaders have vowed to strip ANWR provisions from pending bills. The Senate has been less rigid so far about some other drilling; it defeated attempts to block Lease Sale 181. Another provision to ban Great Lakes drilling was pending at presstime.
Committee action lauded
Despite the uncertain future of the ANWR portions of the House legislation, bill sponsors lauded the committee action, saying it was an important first step in passing comprehensive energy legislation that addresses both supply and demand.
Resources Committee Chairman James Hansen (R-Utah) said, "This vote for maintaining a long-term national energy supply is a victory for American consumers, American workers, our nation's security, and the stability of our economy. It will join legislation from four other committees to comprise a comprehensive package that also emphasizes conservation, research, emerging technologies, and alternative fuels. Together, this package provides the framework for a workable national energy policy-something this nation has needed for years."
The House Committee on Energy and Commerce is expected to pass a related energy bill this week that focuses on energy conservation and downstream issues. Lawmakers are seeking a compromise on boosting fuel efficiency standards for cars and sport utility vehicles. Provisions to streamline reformulated gasoline rules also are being negotiated.
