The U.S. Senate continues to be a bastion of common sense regarding foolhardy proposals to drill-baby-drill everywhere in sight.
Today, the Senate voted 41 yes, 57 no, on a proposal that would have opened up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling. The vote was on a measure that needed 60 votes to avoid filibuster.
In the same vote, the Senate rejected construction of the Keystone XL pipeline.
The proposals were amendments to the Transportation Bill under debate.
According to the Anchorage Daily News:
The 78-page amendment is similar to legislation passed by the Republican-controlled House passed last month. It would require the Interior Department to lease huge areas in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to drilling as well as approve the controversial Keystone XL pipeline project from the Canadian oil sands in Alberta to the Gulf of Mexico.
Adrian Herrera, who is paid by the state of Alaska to lobby Congress to open ANWR, has called the proposal a "hail Mary" measure that includes lots of things for senators to find fault with.
Three Democrats voted for the proposal: Mark Begich of Alaska, Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Joe Manchin of West Virgina.
Very surprised that Mary Landrieu did not vote in favor, actually, as she is among the most pro-oil Senators we have.
Republicans voting against were Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins of Maine; Scott Brown of Massachusetts; Bob Corker of Tennessee; Jim DeMint of South Carolina; Marco Rubio of Florida; and Mike Lee of Utah.
Thanks to those who have pounded your Senators' desks with calls and emails of opposition.
For more information on drilling in ANWR, see Audubon Alaska and the Alaska Wilderness League.