Energy advocates, environmentalists look for Murkowski’s vote on ANWR oil drilling

In years past, Republicans’ efforts to open up parts of Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling have proved to be politically toxic. Now, with a sweeping tax reform bill on the table, energy exploration in ANWR — which represents one of the most intense fights between energy advocates and environmentalists in recent history — could be the key to success in what is expected to be a close vote. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, the Alaska Republican who helped scuttle a measure to repeal Obamacare this year when she sided with Democrats, is seen as a potential swing vote in the looming tax reform push. The Republicans’ recent addition of a provision to repeal Obamacare’s individual mandate to the tax bill raised more suspicion that Ms. Murkowski could ultimately vote against the bill. But the veteran lawmaker last week came out in support of that health care provision, and she looks to be on track to support the tax bill when it eventually comes up for a full Senate vote. Her support is tied to a bill — which would be wrapped into the tax package — that would open 2,000 acres of ANWR to oil drilling. The measure cleared Ms. Murkowski’s Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee in a bipartisan 13-10 vote this month...more