Wednesday, March 16, 2005



Washinton D.C. - The US Senate has voted to open oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, 1.5 million ecologically rich acres along the coastal plain of northeastern Alaska. The refuge has been a protected sanctuary for calving caribou, polar bears, musk oxen, millions of migratory birds and other fragile plants and animals since 1960. Before the government can start expecting bids from oil companies the Republicans will have to agree on a final version of the Budget.