Senate Energy Chair Pulls Plug on Energy Bill and ANWR Drilling, For Now. (News).(Brief Article)

WASHINGTON, DC--Sen. Jeff Bingaman (DNM) the chairman of the Senate Energy Committee announced October 9 that he was halting work on a national energy bill, which Alaska Sen. Frank Murkowski had hoped to use to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil drilling.

At the request of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-ND), Bingaman suspended any further mark-up of energy legislation for this session of Congress. Instead, the chairman will propose comprehensive and balanced energy legislation that can be added by the Majority Leader to the Senate calendar for potential action prior to adjournment, Bingaman said in a written statement.

"The Senate's …