Arctic refuge drilling on ice, for now

Drilling could still resurface
Rep. Edward Markey, D-Mass., one of the House’s most vocal opponents to ANWR oil development, cautioned, however, that it’s too early to celebrate, especially since a final budget package — if one passes the House — will have to be meshed with the Senate bill that includes ANWR drilling.

“It would be a premature exaltation” to celebrate ... Today is just a temporary detour,” said Markey, adding that he’s certain the GOP leadership will put pressure on its moderates to change their mind about ANWR.

“The battle for the Arctic refuge is not over,” added William Meadows, president of the Wilderness Society.

Indeed, if the House bill passes the two chambers would appoint negotiators to work out differences between the bills. Senate Republicans could insist the ANWR drilling proposal be reinserted into the House bill, forcing a new vote by the full House.

“I think the bill ultimately will have ANWR in it,” said Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., a staunch pro-drilling lawmaker who is chairman of the House Resources Committee that has jurisdiction over the issue.

Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, said Thursday he was disappointed that the House dropped the refuge language, but is not giving up the fight. “I’m not ever going to quit trying to get it done,” he said when asked about opening the refuge to oil development.

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