WP: Environmentalists Make Last Stand On Alaskan Drilling

[DeepModem Mom]

Environmentalists Make Last Stand On Alaskan Drilling
By Justin Blum
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, October 27, 2005; Page D01


A coalition of environmental groups is targeting about 30 members of the House and a handful of senators in a final push to win swing votes to defeat proposed drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

In a vigorous lobbying campaign, the environmentalists are trying to rally opposition in the districts of lawmakers whose votes they say are uncertain. As proposed drilling moves closer to becoming law, the environmentalists are scrambling to find enough votes to derail legislation that has seemed headed for passage. Supporters maintain they will have the votes to open the refuge.

"The stakes are as high as they've ever been," said Melinda Pierce, a lobbyist in the Washington office of the environmental group Sierra Club. "It is a top priority of the environmental community. It is really sort of an iconic vote."...

***

The legislation to open the refuge to drilling is expected to be included in budget measures that soon will go before the full House and Senate. By including the measure in the budget reconciliation, which cannot be filibustered, supporters of drilling hope to overcome tactics used in the past by opponents to kill drilling legislation.

In legislative action yesterday, the Senate Budget Committee approved a bill that calls for drilling, the final step before the measure goes to the full Senate. The House Resources Committee approved a similar measure yesterday that must now be approved by the House Budget Committee before going to the floor....


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/26/AR2005102602368.html

[DaveColorado]

1. A diary from KOs on the subject:

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/10/26/171456/47

[DeepModem Mom]

2. a.m. kick: please contact Senators and Reps.

[JudyM]

3. Kick! Link included: letter to your congressional reps. Espec. NJ DUers!

Here's link to letter to Congress:
http://www.arcticrefugeaction.org/
Please send to your friends!

Another link for letter to Congress (Sierra Club; requires quick registration):
http://www.sierraclub.org/arctic/

Clip from same WP article:

Environmentalists are focusing heavy efforts in New Jersey, where they hope to win the votes of several moderate Republicans. They are running print and television ads in the state, among other efforts.