Here we go, kids. Via AP:

WASHINGTON – The proposal to drill for oil in an Alaska wildlife refuge will create the most environmentally friendly oil field in the world, Interior Secretary Gale Norton said Tuesday – a claim disputed by drilling opponents.

They said the legislation before Congress could allow oil companies to skirt some existing environmental safeguards while weakening the ability to challenge oil leases in court.

The standoff in the Senate over drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in northeastern Alaska was expected to reach a climax Wednesday with a critical vote on whether the measure should be included in a massive defense spending bill.

The outcome could be determined by one or two votes.

Drilling opponents have argued for years that opening the refuge’s 1.5 million-acre coastal plain to oil companies would threaten caribou calving areas and adversely disturb a pristine area that is home to polar bears, musk oxen and, during certain times of the year, millions of migratory birds.

Those who have sought access to what may be 10 billion barrels of crude oil maintain that a string of safeguards put into the legislation – from limiting the “footprint” of development to requiring use of the most modern drilling technology – would protect the wildlife.

“The requirements in the legislation would be very strict,” Norton said in an interview Tuesday, calling the environmental standards for the refuge “more stringent than is applied in other oil and gas producing areas.” She said the bill requires her to ensure leasing plans are “environmentally sound” with “no significant adverse impact” to wildlife or their habitat.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said the bill “lets us address the environmental issues” and provides safeguards by requiring advanced technology. “We’re not talking about opening the entire 1.5 million acres. … We’re asking for permission to explore and drill in an area not to exceed 2,000 acres,” Murkowski said on the Senate floor…

Reuters reports that Dems have enough votes to kill the drilling provision:

Democrats said on Tuesday they had nearly enough votes to force the Senate to drop from a military spending bill a plan to allow oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

Republicans agreed the Wednesday vote would be close amid last-minute arm twisting over the fate of the Alaskan refuge, which shelters caribou and migratory birds in the summer and a polar bear nursery in the winter.

The House of Representatives approved the military funding bill and the ANWR drilling plan on Monday.

“I think we’re close,” said Sen. Richard Durbin of Illinois, assistant Democratic leader, referring to votes needed to sustain a filibuster of the $453.3 billion annual military spending bill until Republicans drop the ANWR drilling provision.

“That is what we are counting on,” he told reporters.

A filibuster, or endless debate, would stop the Senate from moving to vote on the entire bill to fund U.S. troops and Pentagon weapons unless Republicans can muster 60 votes to stop it. Democrats also are expected to challenge whether the ANWR language is relevant to the military budget bill, but need 51 votes to win that vote.

Vice President Dick Cheney cut short a Middle East trip to return to Washington in case his tie-breaking vote is needed for the defense bill or a separate spending cuts bill.

Republicans hold 55 seats in the Senate while Democrats have 44 seats. There is one independent…

Keep an eye on those “Main Street” Republicans.

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