Every once in a while, Congress provides us with a surprise that makes us smile. In one of the most cynical efforts we've seen in a long time, the U.S. House of Representatives prepared a bill for floor action on June 16th that would have authorized oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and then earmarked the speculative revenues from drilling to the abandoned mine reclamation fund -- a source of money that is used to reclaim old mines and to provide health benefits for retired miners.
What the House leadership did not count on was opposition from the very mine workers union that they had been courting. The United Mine Workers came out against the proposal when they realized the bill was attempting to replace the current revenue stream -- a coal tax -- with revenues that are speculative. Moreover, the miners union had been negotiating diligently and in good faith with the coal industry and members of Congress from eastern and western coal states to reauthorize the program, and saw the linkage with the Arctic Refuge as undercutting all of their work.
Details of What Happened
Early in the day on June 16th, we heard rumors that a few members from coal states who had voted against us in the past were going to vote with us this time. We were also hopeful that a few members who are not from coal areas would also switch over to our side. Then, just as the House was about to take up the Arctic Refuge drilling-Mine Fund bill, the House abruptly went into recess.
Rumors started flying that the stunned House leadership was suddenly unsure whether or not it had the votes and needed time to figure out what to do. Keep in mind that the House had voted just last year by 228-197 in favor of drilling in the Refuge. By mid-afternoon, word came down that the leadership had pulled the Arctic bill off the floor and was proceeding immediately to consideration of the Interior Appropriations bill. At first, they put word out that they would be coming back later in the day to take up the Arctic Refuge bill. But soon after that it became clear that they would not bring the bill back.
It's Not Over
This is not the end of this issue, of course. The House could bring this bill back at any time and try to jam it through -- perhaps with a new little goody attached for another constituency. But for today, you have earned an important victory.
The House’s leadership action highlights the fact that the bill to drill in the Arctic Refuge was purely a political ploy that would have done nothing to address America's energy needs or to reduce gas prices for American consumers. Unfortunately, in Washington, bad ideas never die. Until the Refuge is permanently protected, we aren't taking anything for granted, and all of us will continue to work with our friends in the House and Senate to remain vigilant.
Sooner or later, the oil companies and their allies in Congress will wake up to the fact that America wants the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to stay wild and free of oil wells. We will work tirelessly to make sure the voice of the conservation-minded majority is heard in Washington.
