Posted on 08/11/2008 3:01:40 PM PDT by Delacon
Energy solutions to provide relief at the pump cannot wait until September. Congress must repeal restrictions enacted, over the last two decades, placing our known domestic supplies off-limits. Energy producers can then increase supply and lower prices immediately while we take the necessary steps to make renewables and other alternatives commercially viable.
Recently, billionaire oilman T. Boone Pickens unveiled his plan for American energy independence. Relying heavily upon wind and natural gas, his idea is interesting, but cant work not now, at least. Congress has locked up approximately 76.5 trillion cubic feet of natural gas to which we would require access. Additionally, wind and solar tax credits, critical in developing these technologies, have been stalled by Speaker Pelosi and House Democrat leaders insistence upon paying for them with controversial tax hikes that cant pass. I, along with 87 colleagues, wrote Speaker Pelosi asking that she bring a clean bill extending these credits to the floor. She hasnt honored our request.
With complete disregard to the rights of the minority party, the Democrat leadership in Congress will not allow a vote on drilling for Americas vast domestic resources. Producers have made great strides in minimizing ecological damage. Over the past 25 years, 7 billion gallons of oil have been pumped to shore, without a single significant spill. In fact, the last oil spill of any impact from a drilling rig off our shores occurred 37 years ago. Yet, congressional Democrats refuse to acknowledge these facts, choosing instead to remain beholden to the fringe environmental extremists who oppose advancement.
Washington Democrats devotion to environmental elitism has resulted in the failed energy policies, or more accurately anti-energy policies, at the root of our current crisis. For 30 years, Democrats have voted consistently to lock up Americas supply of oil and natural gas. Its estimated that ANWR holds 10.6 billion barrels of oil. In 13 years, Congress has voted 17 times on access to this oil, every attempt failing. But the record is clear, on average, 91% of Republicans voted for development of oil from ANWR, 86 percent of Democrats against it.
In federally designated lands in the Intermountain West, there is a massive supply of oil and trillions of cubic feet of natural gas, but theyre locked off from development by laws Congress enacted when gas was $1 per gallon. The Western United States also holds vast quantities of oil shale, equal to 1.8 trillion barrels, compared to only 267 billion barrels in proven reserves in Saudi Arabia. But, just last year, thanks to Democrat Congressman Mark Udall from Colorado, a moratorium on the development of these resources was enacted.
The outer continental shelf (OCS) contains 115.43 billion gallons of oil and 633.62 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Since 2005, 80 percent of Republicans have voted consistently for its production, while 83 percent of congressional Democrats have voted consistently against it, depriving American consumers of yet another energy source.
President Bush has lifted the executive ban on offshore oil drilling, but drilling cannot occur until Congress lifts its own legislative ban. With Speaker Pelosi at the helm, this is unlikely. At the beginning of July she reportedly told her colleagues that if they allowed for more drilling, Washington Democrats might as well pack up and go home. Well, theyve packed up and gone home, but Americas energy is still locked up. The majoritys inaction on energy is financially ruinous and endangers our national security.
Over 70 percent of Americans favor increased domestic drilling. Republicans believe that a viewpoint held by a majority of the public deserves, at the very least, a vote on the floor of the peoples house. We have an all of the above strategy to find more sources and use less energy. Lets encourage development of alternatives like solar, hydropower, and nuclear power and design more fuel-efficient cars and buildings. We understand however, that it will be several years until these energy sources are developed enough to adequately power our economy. Sound energy policy and sound national security policy recognize that, for now, America must depend on fossil fuels and must access our vast domestic supply.
Policies restricting access to known reserves, put in place when gasoline was $1 or even $2.00 per gallon, simply make no sense when $4 per gallon prices are hurting American families and crippling our economy. Over the next month, Republicans will continue our protest, insisting that Speaker Pelosi and her colleagues return to Washington to allow a vote. The Democrat majority must recognize its obligation to the American people and bring down skyrocketing costs by lifting irrational restrictions on American energy production.
John Shadegg is a Republican congressman from Arizona.
ping
I’d say impeach Pelosi, but her approvals might rise.
maybe she wants to put it in Gore’s locked box.
bump
How will Pelosi respond when a Chinese oil rig is drilling 60 miles off of the Florida coast in an area Congress has made off limits to US drillers?
Click on POGW graphic for full GW rundown
New!!: Dr. John Ray's
GREENIE WATCH
The Great Global Warming Swindle Video - back on the net!! (click here)
Ping me if you find one I've missed.
The author brings up a good point, it’s only been in recent years that the whining, self-loathing and vaguely suicidal neurotics started writing the “public service” announcements.
I’m old enough to remember the optomism and “can do” attitude typified by American industry and science industries. “Better Living Through Chemistry” and so on - things will get better, and less grunge work too. All of that is gone now, it’s just depressing which is the goal, I suppose.
Keep supporting our congress heros that are still in Washington!!
We need a vote
Nazi Pelosi AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov
We need emergency session
President Bush comments@whitehouse.gov
202-456-1111
John Boehner invited McCain to join them
McCain needs to get his a$$ to Washington where he belongs
It will bring the much needed media attention
http://www.johnmccain.com/Contact/
“where’s the energy?”
in pelosi’s and the democrats’ socialist revolution.
Operation Chaos - Phase II?
I dunno... if Pelosi is the problem, it seems unlikely that Sheehan is the solution.
Is nobody with a brain willing to run for that House seat?
Pelosi has done absolutely nothing for this nation. She is the worst leader in Congress in my lifetime, I believe. I can’t wait for someone to kick her out of Congress by voting someone else in.
She’s probably getting a kick back! LOL.
Don’t worry folks. We can do without gasoline for the next 10 years.
How come the “conservative” media doesn’t take a picture of Pelosi every time she gets on her jet? They are missing a dynamite visual opportunity.
I wish someone would post the cost of her drivers, vehicles, security and transportation at taxpayers expense, if it is known. I’m sure they would be thrilled to know that she closes down Congress and flies out here to one of her Napa properties for part of her vacation. I bet she doesn’t drive around in a prius either. I would be surprised if she even has a valid drivers license.
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