Senate clears way for vote on OCS bill

Washington-The U.S. Senate has cleared the way for anticipated passage of the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (S3711), which would open for development 1.26 billion barrels of oil and 5.8 trillion cubic feet of natural gas by quadrupling the amount of leases proposed by the Bush administration. According to TFI and ARA, a vote is expected early the week of July 31. “A vote on final passage is likely to take place on Monday, but could perhaps be sooner,” reported ARA’s Richard Gupton. TFI spokeswoman Kathy Mathers told Green Markets that last Thursday the Senate adopted a motion to proceed by the margin of 86 to 12, and one more cloture vote remained to limit amendments and cut off debate before this week’s action. “Senate leadership is working to limit amendments to the bill on the Senate floor in hopes of passing a clean bill prior to the August congressional recess,” she said.