] The US Senate has voted to allow a plan that opens up a
] remote wildlife refuge in the northern state of Alaska to
] oil drilling.

] Senators voted 51-49 against an amendment which would
] have struck the measure from the federal budget.

] The plan has long been a key part of President Bush's
] energy plan, as a means to reduce US reliance on imports.
] Democrats and some Republicans have opposed the plan,
] arguing that the wilderness should be left untouched.

] New Mexico Republican Pete Domenici said before the vote
] that the refuge had the country's "most significant
] onshore production capacity".

] But Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, who proposed the
] amendment, said there was no way the US could drill its
] way out of its energy crisis.

] Correspondents say there is not much interest among the
] oil companies in drilling in the refuge, as its economic
] potential no longer seems promising.

These are the statistics on the area

] Area: 19 million acres, the size of North Carolina
] Home to 45 types of mammal, including polar bear and
] caribou, and 180 species of bird
] Oil potential: Up to 16 billion barrels

the vote is scheduled later this week

Senate backs Alaska oil drilling