The United States Senate voted yesterday to allow oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), a federally protected wilderness area consisting of 1.5 million acres of land. The oil industry has sought permission to drill in this area for years, claiming that it could yield as much as one billion barrels of oil per day, although they admit it will have no impact on rising oil prices. Environmental groups such as the National Resources Defense Council have denounced the vote, arguing that drilling will likely result in environmental destruction.

The 51 to 49 vote was inserted into the Senate's 2006 fiscal budget and was not a standalone bill. Consequently, before drilling can begin there are a few more points at which in ANWR can be stopped, provided there is enough work done by activists and the general public. The Senate must pass a version of the budget containing the ANWR drilling provision, something it was unable to do previously. Moreover, the 2006 budget passed by the House of Representatives did not contain a measure allowing drilling in ANWR and as such, the differences between the two budgets passed must be reconciled by House and Senate negotiators. If there is considerable public pressure, it is quite possible that drilling in ANWR can be prevented.

Michigan Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow both voted against opening ANWR for drilling.