The Independent | US clears path for oil companies to drill in pristine part of Arctic The Independent A Democrat motion to block oil and gas extraction in a famed US nature reserve has been rejected in the Senate, giving oil companies the go-ahead to drill in northern Alaska. The amendment, sponsored by Senator Maria Cantwell, would have reversed ... Democrats fail to block Arctic reserve oil drilling Senate Republicans Block Measure To Protect Arctic Wildlife Refuge From Oil Drilling GOP-Controlled Senate Paves Way for Oil Drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge |