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House Passes Drill Bill

'Compromise' bill allowing limited new drilling passes without GOP backing

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 17, 2008 2:18 AM CDT

(Newser) – An energy bill including a partial lifting of the ban on new offshore drilling has passed the House, reports the Washington Post. The vote split largely along party lines, with most Republicans rejecting the package for not going far enough. The measure would allow new drilling beginning at 50 miles offshore and beyond. Opponents say the limit is too far to exploit most known reserves.

The legislation will roll back tax breaks to oil companies and use royalty payments collected from offshore drilling to fund clean energy measures. The bill will now go to the Senate to compete with three alternative proposals. The current drill ban expires at the end of the month when drilling would automatically be allowed as close as three miles offshore if no new legislation is passed.

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The sun sets behind the Hillhouse A oil and gas platform near the Federal Ecological Reserve in the Santa Barbara Channel. (Getty Images)

Wind turbines spin in Michigan. The energy bill passed last night calls for royalties collected from oil companies to fund alternative energy proposals. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)

Gas station prices are seen posted at World gas station in Sunnyvale, Calif., Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2008. The recent dip in oil prices has done little to change the tone of the energy debate. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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We're not trying to give incentives to drill, we're giving incentives to invest in renewables and natural gas that will take us where we need to go. - House Speaker Nancy Pelosi

The bill that's coming to the floor is nothing more than a hoax on the American people, and they will not buy it. - House Minority Leader John A. Boehner

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House Passes Drill Bill