House approves offshore drilling bill

The House on Wednesday night approved H.R. 2021, which would make it easier to obtain Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) drilling permits by requiring permitting decisions to be made within six months and easing certain environmental standards.

The bill was approved in a 253-166 vote in which 23 Democrats joined all but two Republicans.

Wednesday debate on the bill was marked by Democratic arguments that the bill would weaken air quality standards across the country. The bill would prevent the EPA from regulating emissions from vessels that service offshore drilling operations, a change that Democrats said prevents EPA regulation on what can be the predominant source of emissions.

Democrats worked to attack this provision and others in the bill, but all 10 Democratic amendments were turned away.

Republicans acknowledged during the debate that the bill would help Shell obtain an exploratory permit off Alaska's shore.