Free Republic

<p>WASHINGTON - The House is moving swiftly to enact energy legislation, hoping to revive a proposal for oil drilling in an Alaska wildlife refuge and, in a boon to farmers, expand the use of ethanol as a gasoline additive.</p> <p>Both provisions were included Wednesday as separate committees crafted key parts of the energy legislation. Lawmakers said they expected an energy bill to be voted on by the full House, possibly as early as next week.</p>

Eager to avoid defeat on a key plank of President Bush's domestic agenda, Republican leaders are considering pulling the plug on a massive energy bill unless it includes a provision that permits new drilling in Alaska, GOP sources said. The hard line is being weighed by some Republicans amid expectations that debate on the bill could wrap up as early as this week, and both parties are searching for an advantage on the energy issue heading into the midterm elections. Democrats, who generally oppose drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, have already threatened to bring down the bill if...

Alaska animals vulnerable to oil drilling? By Hil AndersonUPI Chief Energy Correspondent LOS ANGELES, March 29 (UPI) -- Despite the harsh climate of Alaska's rugged Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, the animals that live there may not be hardy enough to withstand the opening of their pristine habitat to oil exploration. Top A new study issued Friday by the U.S. Geological Survey concluded that the populations of caribou, musk oxen, polar bears and other species that call the remote ANWR home could suffer declines unless human activities in their ranges are restricted, particularly during breeding seasons. The report, which came out...