What Congress might do on the offshore drilling issue (Pelosi's in no position to "compromise")

houston chronicle ^ | 8/25/2008 | ERIC TYSON

[tobyhill]

Q: I read your article regarding the limit on offshore drilling for oil that is set to expire on Sept. 30. What if the speaker of the House will not even bring it up for a vote? Does that mean the ban on most drilling will expire and we could start more drilling? This article really got me thinking, because I watch a lot of the news programs and no one has mentioned this. I would appreciate your comments, because that was one of the most interesting articles that I have read recently.

A: Thank you for your positive feedback.

My understanding, from speaking with various folks who keep close tabs on Congress, is that the Democratic-controlled House is seeking to combine an extension of the ban on most drilling for another year with the annual spending bill, which will be waiting for congressional action upon their return from vacation in early September. If Republicans stick to their guns and oppose the annual budget bill because it includes another extension of the offshore drilling limit, this could lead to a government shutdown if a compromise isn't reached by the end of September.

[tom paine 2]

Shut it down!

[lt.america]

There is an Arabic saying the Republicans should heed that is something like “when I am weak, how can I compromise and when I am strong, why should I compromise.” The Republicans are strong on this issue and should throw any outlandish compromises right back in Pelosi’s face. Additionally, Obama himself my force Pelosi’s hand, because I feel the Dems will want this to go away in the next few weeks by the looks of BO’s poll numbers.

[tobyhill]

That's my thoughts exactly. About a month of no paychecks for the Government Slugs and they'll be begging Pelosi to drop the anti-drilling gig.

[tobyhill]

Pelosi will be begging for a compromise when they return but like you said, Republicans don't need a compromise since they get the whole deal on Oct 1, from California, around America to Maine.

[mountainlion]

I think there is near maximum drilling right now except off shore. Are there any off shore drilling rigs available to drill? Congress approval rating went up when they went of vacation so shut congress down.

[tobyhill]

Offshore holds the biggest promises but 80% is off limits. ANWR also holds an estimated 12 billion barrels. We do have some available offshore rigs to get us started but we will need more if the the ban is lifted. If the ban is lifted then the steel business will boom.

[MainFrame65]

The drilling ban is contained in the (Interior?) Department appropriation bill, and has been renewed annually along with the appropriation ever since it was first put in place. This year the dem leadership will try to postpone the vote until after the election by introducing a “continuing resolution” that simply continues both spending and policies until a new appropriation bill passes.

WE MUST NOT ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN, which means that we must not allow our Congresscritters to let it happen. I have all of mine on speed-dial, and I hardly miss a day. I hope that all of you do the same.

[rivercat]

My idiot congress-critter, Lynn Woolsey, in response to my letter, said this:

Opening up the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), the Artic National Wildlife Reserve (ANWR), and more federal lands to oil companies for drilling is not the solution to our energy policy. Currently, there are over 68 millions acres of federal land and water under lease to oil and gas companies that have not been fully developed for production. In fact, of all the oil and gas believed to exist in the OCS, between 79 and 82 percent of it is on land that is already under lease. That's why I supported H.R. 6251, the Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act, which would require the oil industry to produce on the leases they already have or risk losing the right to bid on future leases. Unfortunately, Republican obstructionism prevented this legislation from passing the House when a vote was taken in June. The solution to our energy policy lies in a multi-faceted approach that emphasizes conservation over exploitation, renewable resources over fossil fuels, and planning for the future over clinging to the failed policies of the past.

[tobyhill]

That 68 million acre bull ain't flying with the American people because they know that there's over 100 billion barrels awaiting the permission and rigs.

[baiamonte]

Yeah, but you know what? The “dolts” in Woolsey district will vote him in again and again. So whose the idiot?

[Cyber Liberty]

The Pubbies are understandably gun-shy on this, because they've been blamed for every government shutdown that's happened because of budgetary impasse, all the way back to Reagan and probably before.

I think if they stick to their guns, they'll be rewarded this time.

[theymakemesick]

Weekly rig count: http://www.wtrg.com/rotaryrigs.html

There’s money to be made, and the engine of America’s economy to stoke. If we can keep the demonicrats and republicrats out of the way, it will continue.

[rivercat]

Woolsey is a former bag lady, and the only member of congress ever to to be on welfare. We have many, many, many dolts and idiots in our area. I enjoy using bumperstickers to give them road rage, btu I wish they’d wake up.