Posted on 10/03/2005 3:25:13 PM PDT by SmithL
WASHINGTON -- House Republicans have abandoned plans to lift the ban on offshore drilling along most of the country's coastline as part of new energy legislation, GOP congressmen said Monday.
Lawmakers from Florida and other coastal states objected to the proposal endorsed by the House Resources Committee. The House is expected to consider next week legislation aimed at expanding U.S. refinery capacity, including several provisions that critics say would ease clean air requirements on refineries and power plants.
Rep. Richard Pombo, R-Calif., the Resources Committee's chairman, said the offshore drilling provision, which he opposed, would be dropped from consideration as part of the energy legislation. Pombo prefers a less sweeping approach that would allow a waiver of the drilling ban to individual states if they request it.
Both proposals have been sharply criticized by environmentalists as well as lawmakers from some coastal states, especially Florida. They argue that the offshore areas outside the central and western Gulf of Mexico should remain off limits to natural gas or oil drilling for environmental and tourism reasons.
Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., who has argued that the country needs all the natural gas it can get and sponsored the proposal accepted by the Resources Committee, said he also had been told the provision would not be included in the energy legislation when it goes to the House floor.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
GOP caves again. damnit.
Mike
I'm shocked....NOT!
It must not be needed with all of that excess natural gas we have.
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What a gigantic farse Washington has become. Totally inept, and disinterested really, in the future of this country.
These GOP leaders are tone deaf. Im afraid Bush presides over the tipping point. Ive certainly lost steam.
Wouldn't have passed as there were not enough votes. The FlorDUH Delegation, RINOs, and Democrats had enough votes to kill any bill.
They can try again later and sneak it into some important, must pass bill. Democrats do it all the time and so can the Republicans.
What a strange time to cave... the public is ready for more drilling.
"excess natural gas "
We have a surplus in the House and Senate.
This is a pisser.
WTF is wrong up in washington!?!?!?!?! Why is it when we send decent people up there they change and turn into p****es? Stand up and DO WHAT'S RIGHT!
I'm so sick of grabbing the ankles for liberal special interests.
PAY $5.OO For gas you dumb S--ts.
God we need another real American party.
"They argue that the offshore areas outside the central and western Gulf of Mexico should remain off limits to natural gas or oil drilling for environmental and tourism reasons."
and because they are giant, gutless babies.
I am speechless.
Energy insanity continues. It was my understanding this legislation would only permit a survey of offshore resources, something the greens have effectively blocked in the past.
Wonder what happened to the ANWAR drilling authorization? Will it be the next thing removed from the bill?
I can't fathom why our lawmakers continue to pursue policies that guarantee energy dependence on our enemies. It's lunacy.
SSDD, wimps.
Not going to see a lot of tourism when people cannot afford to travel. Loss of disposable income and high fuel are going to affect travel. Maybe Alaska, Texas and Louisiana should start an ad campain: "visit us, we are trying to lower your cost".
Spineless. That's all I'll say.
Here at a time when 3 dollar gas has even the left wing public citizens wanting to drill. Unbelievable!!
Republican party: HAS NO GUTS. Todays Republicans make 60's era Democrats look like Hawks!
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