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| House approves US drill-ban lift | House approves US drill-ban lift |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| The US House of Representatives has approved legislation which would lift a 27-year-old moratorium on drilling for oil in US coastal waters. | The US House of Representatives has approved legislation which would lift a 27-year-old moratorium on drilling for oil in US coastal waters. |
| Drilling would be allowed between 80km (50 miles) and 160km (100 miles) of the coast, but not inside that limit. | Drilling would be allowed between 80km (50 miles) and 160km (100 miles) of the coast, but not inside that limit. |
| The House voted 236 to 189 in favour of the extensive energy package, which was drawn up by the Democrats, who had previously opposed coastal drilling. | The House voted 236 to 189 in favour of the extensive energy package, which was drawn up by the Democrats, who had previously opposed coastal drilling. |
| Republicans denounced the bill as a political ruse. | Republicans denounced the bill as a political ruse. |
| President George W Bush lifted an executive ban on drilling for oil in most US coastal waters in July, urging lawmakers to follow suit in order to reduce US dependence on oil imports. | President George W Bush lifted an executive ban on drilling for oil in most US coastal waters in July, urging lawmakers to follow suit in order to reduce US dependence on oil imports. |
| The move came as high oil prices pushed US petrol prices above $4 per gallon (£0.59, or 0.79 euro, a litre). | The move came as high oil prices pushed US petrol prices above $4 per gallon (£0.59, or 0.79 euro, a litre). |
| Political ruse? | Political ruse? |
| Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the bill marked "a new direction in energy policy" because of its emphasis on alternative energy. | Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the bill marked "a new direction in energy policy" because of its emphasis on alternative energy. |
| Until recently, Democratic leaders had opposed ending the drilling ban, pointing out that oil companies already have 68m acres under government leases they can drill. | Until recently, Democratic leaders had opposed ending the drilling ban, pointing out that oil companies already have 68m acres under government leases they can drill. |
| Official estimates show that nearly 90% of the oil believed to lie off the US coast would remain off limits because it is located within 80km of the shore. | Official estimates show that nearly 90% of the oil believed to lie off the US coast would remain off limits because it is located within 80km of the shore. |
| Petrol prices are part of the wider US energy policy debate | Petrol prices are part of the wider US energy policy debate |
| Republicans say the bill is a ruse to provide political cover for Democrats who have felt under pressure to show support for more drilling at a time of high oil and fuel prices. | Republicans say the bill is a ruse to provide political cover for Democrats who have felt under pressure to show support for more drilling at a time of high oil and fuel prices. |
| A White House statement said "this bill purports to open access to American energy sources while in reality taking actions to stifle development". | A White House statement said "this bill purports to open access to American energy sources while in reality taking actions to stifle development". |
| The Senate will consider a similar bill later this week. | |
| US energy needs are set to be a key issue in November's presidential election. | US energy needs are set to be a key issue in November's presidential election. |
| Republican John McCain is in favour of offshore oil drilling, whereas his Democratic rival, Barack Obama, opposes it. | Republican John McCain is in favour of offshore oil drilling, whereas his Democratic rival, Barack Obama, opposes it. |
| Environmentalists say offshore drilling would take at least a decade to have any effect on oil supply and would exacerbate climate change. | Environmentalists say offshore drilling would take at least a decade to have any effect on oil supply and would exacerbate climate change. |
| Since 1981, a congressional moratorium has prohibited oil and gas drilling along the east and west coasts and in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, an area accounting for some 80% of the US's outer continental shelf. | Since 1981, a congressional moratorium has prohibited oil and gas drilling along the east and west coasts and in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, an area accounting for some 80% of the US's outer continental shelf. |
| The executive drilling ban was issued in 1990 by the current president's father, President George H W Bush, and then extended by President Bill Clinton. | The executive drilling ban was issued in 1990 by the current president's father, President George H W Bush, and then extended by President Bill Clinton. |
| Since then offshore drilling and exploration have only been allowed in the western and central regions of the Gulf of Mexico plus parts of Alaska. | Since then offshore drilling and exploration have only been allowed in the western and central regions of the Gulf of Mexico plus parts of Alaska. |
| The federal bans were enacted in part to protect tourism and lessen the chance of oil spills washing on to beaches. | The federal bans were enacted in part to protect tourism and lessen the chance of oil spills washing on to beaches. |