Interior proposal would block oil shale development on federal lands in West

The Hill ^ | 11/09/12 | Zack Colman -

[george76]

The Interior Department on Friday issued a final plan to close 1.6 million acres of federal land in the West originally slated for oil shale development.

The proposed plan would fence off a majority of the initial blueprint laid out in the final days of the George W. Bush administration. It faces a 30-day protest period and a 60-day process to ensure it is consistent with local and state policies. After that, the department would render a decision for implementation.

The move is sure to rankle Republicans, who say President Obama’s grip on fossil fuel drilling in federal lands is too tight.

Interior’s Bureau of Land Management cited environmental concerns for the proposed changes. Among other things, it excised lands with “wilderness characteristics” and areas that conflicted with sage grouse habitats.

Under the plan, 677,000 acres in Colorado, Utah and Wyoming would be open for oil shale exploration. Another 130,000 acres in Utah would be set aside for tar sands production.

[dalebert]

so we can keep buying foreign oil?

[Venturer]

More of the Obama destruction plan

If he had the balls he would just outlaw all pumping and drilling in the United States and put a windmill on every roof.

Election have Consequences

Remember in the debates when this lying CS said Romney was wrong —that Obama drilled more than anyone before him?

[Mr. Jeeves]

Well, we need to preserve some shale lands...so we can transfer them to China to pay off our debt.

[Lera]

so we can keep buying foreign oil?


We have to keep buying foreign oil so they can get their kickbacks . Why do you think these people spend so much money to get these positions and always end up with bank accounts worth millions.

[cicero2k]

He’s only finishing what he started.

This is what he meant by “Forward”.

At least they can use the land to install windmills.

[GeneWil]

Yes, keeping America dependent on foreign oil is desirable to some people. I believe that Obama’s efforts to diminish America financially requires that we continue to have to buy the natural resources that we have right uder our feet here in America.