Not to mention drilling in California. Why should the largest gas consuming state get to set the agenda? I lived there for years. People commute 1 or 2 hrs each way, 5 days a week. Then they get in a tizzy if some pol even hints at oil/gas exploration, new power plant (especially nuclear), or a new refinery. I used to say to them: "What, it's OK to pollute Tulsa?".
In my book, "importer" states like Fla and Cal should pay a hefty premium per gallon, cubic foot, etc. The funds would go to REDUCE THE ENERGY/GAS BILLS of those in "exporter" states.
Fine with me if they want their pristine ocean views. But I'd like to find out how much they're willing to pay for it.
I think wheels are starting to turn that haven't moved before; the current thinking seems to me to be running the line of still blocking close access to Florida's beaches, but opening up the rest of the Gulf. While that isn't ideal, I would hope that the camel's nose under the tent would result in enough economic benefit to Florida that full development would eventually be possible.
But if gasoline were to spike to the prices Forbes suggested yesterday ($7 a gallon), then I would guess that Floridians would be willing to open everything. In fact, were they to reach such outré levels, I think that there would probably be a strong public push during such a peak to open up all available sources.
G'morning!
If you look at life that way, then Canada would have to start charging you a "hefty surcharge" for all the natural gas, timber and electricity our government agreed to send you. It's not as if you actually NEED any of it. I've lived in the States as well, and you have your own trees and are certainly capable of generating you own electricity. You can drill for natural gas too. You'll find it not far from any of your coal mines.
This is what happens when we put up walls and don't share the earth's resources with once another. I believe proponents of this ideology are said to have a "scarcity mentality."
There are enough natural resources on this planet for all of us, even with triple the present population - if we could only find a way to get along with one another.
Natural disasters like Katrina and Rita are the least of our problems. FWIW - Jesse.
Tulsa is not polluted, thank you very much.