89 days, 9 hours, 53 minutes ago
Senate Democrats to push bipartisan drilling bill
By MARY CLARE JALONICK, Associated Press

Relates to: Tom Carper, Saxby Chambliss, Norm Coleman, Kent Conrad, Bob Corker, Lindsey Graham, Johnny Isakson, Mary Landrieu, Blanche Lincoln, Ben Nelson, Mark Pryor, Harry Reid, John Sununu, John Thune, John Warner, George W. Bush

Democratic leaders in the Senate plan to push a bipartisan energy proposal that would allow for some expansion of offshore drilling when Congress returns next week from a five-week recess.

The plan that would allow Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina to opt into leasing programs starting 50 miles off their shores now has the support of 16 senators eight Democrats and eight Republicans.

However, it is expected to face opposition from lawmakers in both parties, and with Congress planning to meet for only three weeks before recessing again for the November election, its prospects are dim.

The proposal, not yet introduced as legislation, would also lift a ban on drilling off the Gulf coast of Florida, invest $20 billion on developing petroleum-free motor vehicles and extend expiring tax credits for renewable energy.

Many Republicans, including President Bush, would like to see the moratorium on drilling lifted along the entire Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Some Democrats are unlikely to support any measure that includes increased offshore drilling.

"This is going to be hard to do, we are under no illusion here," said Sen. Kent Conrad, D-N.D., who led the negotiations on the proposal with Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga. "But we've tried to put something together that is responsible and broad-based and bipartisan, and I think it's got a shot."

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., is working with the supporters to get it on the floor "as quickly as possible" after the Senate returns Monday, said Reid spokesman Jim Manley. "It appears that this proposal is picking up steam on both sides of the aisle," Manley added.

When the proposal was introduced in early August, Reid said he did not agree with every part of it. Manley said Reid still believes drilling "is not the answer to everything" but is a comprehensive approach that could be a way to forge a compromise on the issue.

Six senators signed on to the proposal last week, including Republican Sens. Norm Coleman of Minnesota and John Sununu of New Hampshire. Both are facing competitive re-election bids this fall as high energy prices have become a touchy political issue.

Other Republicans supporting the proposal are John Thune of South Dakota, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Johnny Isakson of Georgia, Bob Corker of Tennessee and John Warner of Virginia.

Democratic supporters include Sens. Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor of Arkansas, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Tim Johnson of South Dakota, Tom Carper of Delaware and Ken Salazar of Colorado. Landrieu also is in a tight race for re-election in November.

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