U.S. House votes to end Louisiana deepwater drilling moratorium

NOLA ^ | 07/31/2010 | Bruce Alpert

[SeekAndFind]

The House voted Friday to end the six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling, though Republicans and a Louisiana industry group said it gives too much discretion to the Interior Department and provides no guarantees drilling will resume quickly.

The amendment -- sponsored by Rep. Charlie Melancon, D-Napoleonville -- was added to a sweeping offshore drilling regulatory bill that would eliminate the $75 million cap on oil-company liability for spills, codify the reorganization of the much-maligned Minerals Management Services, and give the presidential commission investigating the BP rig-spill subpoena power.

27 0 35 Share The bill, which Republicans said could harm smaller producers, passed on a mostly party-line vote.

Some of the most heated debate occurred over Melancon's moratorium amendment.

Responding to Republicans who said it would still allow Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to deny permits for drilling, even if new tougher safety standards are adopted, Melancon said it is the responsible approach.

"If we have it the way of the other side, we'll send rigs out, not inspect -- the hell with it," an emotional Melancon said. "The next thing we know we're back where we started."

He said his amendment "makes sure America has energy and the people of my district, the state of Louisiana, have jobs, good jobs, and we can continue the prosperity we've known in the past."

But Louisiana Republicans and the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association said the amendment only grants Salazar the authority to determine whether to issue a permit after an oil company complies with the new expanded safety requirements. The Louisiana Gas Association said that the bill should have said that "the secretary shall issue the permit."

The amendment passed 216-195 with all six of Melancon's Republican colleagues in the delegation voting against.

[GOP_Lady]

Why did this take so long?

[Qbert]

It’s probably not going to make much difference in reality. The administration will just deny permits (among other things).

[goldfinch]

What they voted on was an amendment to a larger energy bill...which contains a lot of spending measures which Republicans oppose. When Republicans eventually vote against the Energy Bill, Democrats will be able to run ads saying Republicans voted against lifting the moratorium.

That is the whole purpose of offering up the amendment. It has nothing to do with actually lifting the ban. It is purely a political move.

[businessprofessor]

This bill is a monstrosity. Please read about it from credible sources before making comments about why it took so long. The Republicans in the Senate should stop it.

[GOP_Lady]

Will do. Thanks. I take it the Governor is against this then?

[piytar]

Too late — the rigs have left or are committed to other places. They won’t be coming back. The demscum know this, so now they want to get some political cover through a show vote.

[Smokin' Joe]

They act as if it is in the interest of the oil company, drilling contractor, or even the individual crewmwmbers to somehow be slipshod in regard to the safety fo the individuals, the rig, and the environment they are working in.

The personal well being of the people doing the work as well as the rig and the environs are intimately interconnected. (Recall, 11 died in the Deepwater Horizon disaster).

I think BPs mess adds yet another layer even the worst upper management can understand, that it is in the economic interest of the operating company to prevent any accidents. I have also noticed the drilling reports I get are even more meticulously documented than ever (same practices--good ones--but more specific annotations).

Even a small spill represents lost revenue (the oil), more lost revenue (the cleanup), and even more lost revenue (fines, etc.).

I'd bet even the accounting department can understand that.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Don’t trust ANYTHING proposed by the Rats.

[TigersEye]

He said his amendment "makes sure America has energy...

Oh, really? I think that's a bald-faced lie.

It Begins… First Oil Rig Relocates From Gulf to Foreign Waters

"As a result of the uncertainties surrounding the offshore drilling moratorium, we are actively seeking international opportunities to keep our rigs fully employed," Dickerson said. "We greatly regret the loss of U.S. jobs that will result from this rig relocation."

Idled Gulf Rigs Head For Africa

It is not just Gulf operations that are being effected either.

Wait and see for Shell {Shell puts Arctic drilling plans on hold, waiting on feds}

Let's not leave the refineries out.

EPA gives final "no" to Texas refinery permits

Then there are the land-based oil leases.

Judge Grills Feds on Pulling Drilling Leases

"A federal judge on Wednesday questioned Interior Secretary Ken Salazar's justification for canceling 77 drilling leases sold by the Bush administration around national parks in Utah."

[Oldpuppymax]

Sounds like a fraud, put in place by democrats worried about November. They KNOW Hussein will veto the thing. They just wanted to be on record having supported and passed it!!! The whole thing is as phony as it gets.