Obama clears way for oil drilling off US coasts

[futurebeachbum]

Obama energy plan would open up Gulf drilling

Every news site has the story: Here's a link to it at CNN and a FOX story.

A few of the points:

Reduce reliance on foreign oil
Create jobs
Delaying opening up some areas in AK, pending more research
Drilling will be allowed 50 miles off the VA -FL east coast
Drilling in the eastern Gulf may be allowed 125 miles offshore if Congress lets the moratorium lapse.
​

The map below is from this NYTimes article:

 

[Geo]

I was part of a group who lobbied our state senators and reps last week in Tallahassee to vote against drilling.

All along I felt like the advances being made at the state level would eventually help big oil at the federal level. Sadly, now it seems the other way around.

I believe Obama just gave every state senator and rep a hallpass to vote for drilling.

What a bummer. I think I'll go spend this beautiful day on a tarball free beach while I can.

 

[seacliffes]

oil

Totally outrageous. There goes the neighborhood! Once the foot gets in the door.......

 

[Beauty hunter]

Pennywise Poundfoolish

It seems every unscrupulous money machine is hell bent on destroying the planet. Its like some nameless insatiable black monster that consumes everything in it's path. I'm all for people prospering, but at what costs? If the costs outweigh the profits it is a bad business deal. We aren't talking about start up costs, but long-term consequential costs. Yet, this is the decision the government is heading toward- like a moth to a flame. It's ok to destroy natural beauty if the price is high enough, an apparent attitude seen in their actions. In this case, it's not even going to generate enough income for us to get lower prices because the oil companies will always come up with a reason to charge us high gas prices. Source- past experience. It seems the government is almost driven there by some unseen force- the elusive promise of riches with wings. Expected phantom jobs won't actually exist because of other people out of work that will take the position, that is, of course, if they don't starve to death in the meantime waiting for the position to open. Reminds me of the long black train to hell- catch the ride and go fast- don't worry about the destination.

Once you do everything you know to do- PRAY

This so-called progressive movement in government is one step forward, 100 steps back.
Solutions of new energy that are truly clean sources is still the answer, but we continue on the same journey, not learning from our mistakes.

The fight is not over- don't take your gloves off!

 

[Miss Critter]

I can't tell you how disgusted and disappointed I was to hear this. Desperation? Oil lobby? Pandering? I don't get it.

But if these other areas are opened, would that lessen the "need" to drill in our backyard? Or make it more likely?

 

[Everytime]

But if these other areas are opened, would that lessen the "need" to drill in our backyard? Or make it more likely?

More likely; getting their foot in the door of the long-off-limits Eastern Gulf of Mexico will give them a greater precedent and position to gradually expand closer to shore beyond the proposed 125-mile shoreline buffer. I had a bad dream several years ago about going to SGB and finding the sky, sea and sand to be be a murky blend of brown and gray, and the seascape looking like that from Dauphin Island.

This will be an opportunity not only for the oil companies, but also governments that they work closely with such as Venezuela, Mexico, Russia, etc. (see the recent story about Cuba giving RU rights just of the Strait of Florida). I suspect most of the "new jobs" will come from LA, TX, & Mexico where that experienced, skilled labor in that sector already exists.

There are other alternatives that aren't being explored seriously. This expansion will not bring down consumer prices; the producers will sustain the current market costs with the excuse of costs of new exploration/exploitation and development of regional refineries.

The administration did a bad job with this "energy plan."

 

[Em]

Thanks President Obama.




(sarcasm off)

 

[Em]

I'm not surprised by President Obama's recent move. It is indeed outrageous and all about payback.

 

[floridafarm]

Why do the west and northeastern coasts get a free pass? Is there no oil there?

 

[Arkiehawg]

Unfortunately, we were in a no win situation with this one.

The ban was going to be lifted regardless of whether Obama or McCain was elected....

Only thing we can do now is fight it HARD at the State level to keep it at least 125 miles off Florida Shores....