Offshore Drilling Is Coming to a Vote (NO COMPROMISE! 16 DAYS AND THE CURRENT BAN EXPIRES)

washington post ^ | 9/14/2008 | Paul Kane

[tobyhill]

Congressional Democrats, balancing political reality against a policy they have long opposed, are on the cusp of approving legislation that would open the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to oil drilling as close as 50 miles offshore.

With votes scheduled this week in the House and Senate, Democrats have essentially given up defending the current ban on drilling within 200 miles offshore along both coasts. Instead, led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), they are offering a mix of proposals that would allow drilling, with the waters off Massachusetts, Virginia and Georgia most likely to be the first affected.

Environmentalists and industry analysts disagree over the impact the various legislative proposals would have on oil production, with industry experts contending that the most precious reserves still would be off-limits. But both sides agree that -- because of the politics of $4-a-gallon gasoline this summer and a pending legislative deadline -- the nearly 40-year drilling ban is in jeopardy.

[cripplecreek]

We wouldn’t see near the price spike from hurricanes if we had ANWR oil flowing down the trans alaska pipeline too.

[org.whodat]

The whole thing was just meaningless feel good legislation to start with, to make everyone voting for it to look good. Drilling and selling leases still has to pass congress.

[Flintlock]

Garbage.
Let the stupid ban expire.
Bury it with a STAKE THROUGH ITS HEART!

[wk4bush2004]

Well, it’s a good first step. We need to open all the coasts, though—100%. Atlantic, Gulf, Pacific, and all around Alaska.

DRILL, BABY, DRILL!!!!!!

[org.whodat]

Yes all that oil headed to china would really help Exxon’s bottom line also.

[Elle Bee]

if Bush would just grow a pair and veto whatever compromise is passed the old ban would expire

.

[Old Retired Army Guy]

They need to oppose any new legislation. The current moratorium will automatically expires October 1 unless extended. That is much better than any new legislation.

[Mikey_1962]

Let the ban die a natural death.

[Prophet in the wilderness]

Sweet !!! The DEMS are in a difficult position... either they stand on their failed principles, or vote for what the American public wants and get this nation back on track to energy independence and help the economy, or they stand firm on their NO DRILL deal.
Not good in a election year since they are floundering now with Obama dropping in the polls and they see their own seats in Congress being effected.
And the RINO's in Congress should take note also, the public is watching them too.

[tobyhill]

It's all or nothing time and if Pelosi tries to attach any limitations through “compromise” on a continuing resolution bill I say, let the Government Shutdown.

[Brandonmark]

This is a set-up since the Dims have added a huge tax increase that may force many Republicans to reject and thus an instant campaign message for the DNCC - “Your Congressman said he wanted to drill for more domestic oil, yet voted against the opportunity to drill!”

[InterceptPoint]

From the article:

"Under the Pelosi bill, scheduled for a vote Tuesday, the federal government would not share royalties with the states, devoting the money instead toward federal funding for renewable energy resources. Taxes on oil companies would be increased, with that revenue also going to alternative energy sources."

Surely the Republicans will vote AGAINST a feel-good, poison-pill garbage bill like this. Kill it dead. Let the offshore drilling ban expire.

[tobyhill]

Exactly. Put Pelosi, Reid, Obama, etc in their place! Let them explain to the American people that the Government is shut down because they didn't want drilling everywhere which is what happens even with the Government shutdown anyway.
Pelosi has already played all her cards and there's no bluffing to a win for her.

[Repeal The 17th]

Does the current ban on drilling
that expires at the end of the month
also include drilling in ANWR
or is that area forbidden by some separate legislation?

[rrrod]

Keep a close eye on Chambliss and Graham...they may pull something.

[Joyell]

If the US drills and refines our own oil, our stringent environmental policies would make for cleaner drilling and refining than the other nations. Why would the bleeding heart environmentalists oppose that? Do the enviromentalists prefer refineries opening in China, as opposed to the US? I hope they don’t think China will take the environment into consideration.

It’s like this, oil is going to be drilled for, and refineries will be built, if not by us, then by other countries. We should be doing it, not only for our own good, but for the good of the planet.

Also, drilling in Alaska is so sensible. They have a tremendous amount of oil up there, and they don’t have hurricanes.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Here’s a concept for the Democrats to consider: Why not drill where the freaking oil is? Jeeez.

[tobyhill]

On Oct 1 the ban expires and drilling can happen anyway without tax increases. It allows drilling outside a 3 mile buffer zone whereas Pelosi wants a 50 mile buffer. She can't win this one unless the GOP gives her the win.

[Harley]

It is more than meaningless feel-good legislation. It is deceptive legislation that was put together solely by the Democrats. There is no bi-partisan in the legislation, Republicans were kept away. The best thing that can happen is that the current ban expires at the end of the month and drilling can begin again.
The Democrats are so dumb and beholden to groups like the Sierra Club that they believe ocean oil drilling is still as primitive as it was in the 70’s. Mother Nature spills more oil in the ocean than new modern oil drilling using new spider technology ever would. I guess basically being a Democrat means never having to say you were wrong.