WASHINGTON, DC — The House of Representatives has passed an amendment to an energy and water spending bill that would ban drilling for oil or natural gas under the Great Lakes.

The amendment states that no funds may be used to issue any permit or other authorization for drilling from the land beneath the waters of the Great Lakes. The provision was approved by a vote of 265 to 157. The spending bill later passed by 405 to 15.

Representative Fred Upton (R-MI) said, “The energy plan released by the White House indicated their intention to tap known reserves, including those under the Great Lakes. I say, gentle-men, you should look elsewhere.”

This House legislation closely follows earlier votes to delay a Bush administration plan calling for oil and gas drilling off the coast of Florida and to prevent drilling in areas designated as national monuments.

Publication date: 0709/2001