Obama finalizes plans to ban oil and gas drilling in ‘undisturbed’ Alaskan refuge

[Geee]

Washington Times:

President Obama issued his administration’s finalized recommendations late Friday to expand protected areas of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, drawing a furious response from the state’s Republican senators.

 

In a letter to Speaker John A. Boehner, Mr. Obama reiterated his intention to preserve the vast energy-rich tract and called on Congress to block about 12 million acres from oil and natural gas drilling.

 

“This area is one of the most beautiful, undisturbed places in the world,” Mr. Obama told Mr. Boehner, Ohio Republican.”It is a national treasure and should be permanently protected through legislation for future generations.”

 

The president’s action sets up a battle with the Republican lawmakers who are already simmering over the president’s veto of legislation to complete the Keystone XL oil pipeline.