"Senate Panel Advances Quest For Oil In Arctic Refuge"

"WASHINGTON - Oil drilling in a vast Alaskan wildlife refuge moved a step closer to reality on Wednesday after the U.S. Senate energy and natural resources panel voted 13-10 to open part of the r eserve coveted by conservationists.

Republicans, who control Congress and the White House, have long wanted to prise open a portion of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on the north coast known as the 1002 area.

Senator Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican and the head of the Senate energy committee, says drilling in the refuge is needed to provide jobs and boost the country’s resource base."

Timothy Gardner reports for Reuters November 15, 2017.