Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott and nine other GOP senators introduced a bill yesterday that would open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska to oil drilling. The measure, which is aimed at decreasing American dependency on foreign oil, would also establish tax incentives for some low-producing oil wells, lower royalties for some oil exploration, give tax breaks for wind and solar power production, and promote energy conservation and efficiency. Despite the few eco-friendly provisions, enviros immediately criticized the bill. “This package comes gift-wrapped with a bow around it for Alaska’s big oil interests,” said Adam Kolton of the Alaska Wilderness League.
