Panel Votes for Oil Drilling in Wildlife Refuge
A House panel voted Tuesday to free Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil drilling and proposed the sale of nearly two dozen federal dams and power-generating facilities.
The Arctic refuge has been the focus of years of controversy as oil companies seek to develop its large petroleum reserves. Environmentalists argue that development would destroy a natural treasure and home to rare wildlife.
But the refuge has been caught up in the frenzied search for revenue under a seven-year blueprint to eliminate the deficit. Republicans, who control the House, are counting on getting $1.3 billion in revenue over five years from the sale of Arctic oil leases.
Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt said he would ask President Clinton to veto the package if it allowed Arctic drilling.
The Natural Resources Committee also pushed ahead with plans to sell 23 federal dams and electric generating facilities that belong to the Southeastern Power Administration. It was unclear how much money would be generated.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
