The U.S. Senate approved a bill on Tuesday to open more federal waters in the central Gulf of Mexico to oil and gas drilling.

The measure, which was approved with a vote of 71-25, will open 8.3 million acres of federal waters in the Gulf region and would be a major step toward producing more domestic energy.

"This bill will substantially reduce our reliance on foreign oil and gas. ... It brings more American energy to American consumers," declared Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist.

However, some critics of the legislation noted that it will be years before any oil or gas will be taken from the 8.3 million acres and that the legislation falls short of addressing many of the country's energy problems.

The U.S. Senate now must be reconciled with much broader drilling legislation passed by the House of Representatives in June.

The U.S. House of Representatives approve a bill in June to end a offshore drilling ban which has been lasting about 25 years and allow energy companies to tap natural gas and oil beneath waters. The bill also would revamp how the federal government shares oil and gas royalties with states, producing a windfall for states on the Gulf of Mexico area.

Source: Xinhua