House Debates Lifting Drilling Bans

House Vote Preserves Offshore Drilling Ban


Friday May 19, 2006 2:31 AM

AP Photo DCLB106

By H. JOSEF HEBERT

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - The House rejected an attempt Thursday to lift a quarter-century
congressional ban on offshore oil drilling in coastal waters outside the western Gulf
of Mexico amid arguments that new supplies are needed to lower energy prices.

A proposal to end the long-standing moratorium as it applies only to pumping natural gas
was expected to be voted on later in the evening as lawmakers moved toward late-night
approval of a $25.9 billion Interior Department spending bill.

The proposal to allow oil drilling in waters off both coasts and in the eastern Gulf of
Mexico - areas off-limits to energy companies since 1981 - was rejected by a 279-141 vote.
It had been offered by Rep. Ted Poe, R-Texas, who called the drilling ban "an outdated
policy" when the country wants to reduce its dependence on imports.

Separately, the House by a 252-165 vote passed a measure that would bar oil companies
from receiving new oil leases unless they renegotiate past contracts that allowed them
to avoid federal royalty payments even when oil prices soar.