Republicans Exclude Drilling In Alaska's Protected Region From Party Platform

August 27, 2008 6:39 p.m. EST

Minneapolis, MN (AHN) - The Republican Platform Committee decided on Wednesday to omit support for drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) out of concerns that it could undermine the campaign of Sen. John McCain, (R-AZ), the Congressional Quarterly reports.

McCain reversed his position against lifting the 27-year moratorium on offshore drilling in June but continues to oppose exploration in Alaska's protected region.

A Tuesday draft of the platform's energy section did not mention ANWR. It expressed support for "accelerated exploration, drilling and development" of coasts nationwide, particularly those in Alaska, Montana and North Dakota. A proposal from a Platform Committee member from Alaska, David Boyle, to include drilling in the protected region was voted down by other members the next day.

The panel is in Minneapolis to draft the party platform ahead of the Republican National Convention in St. Paul next Monday. The platform will include ideas from ordinary voters, which were culled through a website launched last month by the Republican National Committee.