WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Wednesday approved legislation to prevent oil and gas drilling on 1.2 million acres of land in the Wyoming Range.

Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso sponsored the bill. It would protect the popular hunting and recreation area within the Bridger-Teton National Forest. The legislation provides protection for existing leases, but allows remaining leases to be voluntarily purchased by conservation groups so they can be retired.

Pressure to drill for gas in Wyoming is increasing as many industries switch their energy supplies to cleaner-burning natural gas. The Bush administration has expressed concerns with the bill, saying it could result in lost energy resources and tax revenue. The bill now heads for consideration by the full Senate.