Energy Bill Bans Great Lakes Drilling

Published Jul 28, 2005 12:01 AM by The Maritime Executive

The bill is expected to be voted on by the US House and Senate later in the week. A temporary ban on drilling was set by Congress in 2001 and has been extended twice. The moratorium is set to expire in 2007.

Representative Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) had sought the prohibition amid concerns that the Great Lakes could be threatened by an oil spill. The Lakes supply drinking water to more than 30 million people and make up about 20 percent of the world's fresh surface water.

Representative Mike Rogers (R-Brighton) opposed Stupak's approach, arguing that the powers should be left to the states in the region.

Michigan, New York, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Ohio have drilling bans in their states, but the bans are not found in Indiana, Pennsylvania and Minnesota.

The drilling ban was agreed to Tuesday as part of a broad agreement on the energy bill. The bill is expected to be voted on by the House and Senate later in the week.