Obama clears way for oil drilling off US coasts

[Matt J]

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

The west coast already has drilling. Not sure about the north east.

I guess the upshot of this is that the "China is slant drilling into our oil" folks can finally get on the "No drilling" band wagon since the oil companies can just slant drill from the edge of the Western Gulf border.

 

[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....

 

[toes]

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

Those areas have some dyed in the wool blue coasts

 

[30A Skunkape]

Everyone relax for a moment. I am not sure what the environmental implications are for drilling 125 miles offshore. While I know there are factors besides distance, a look at the map shows activity south of Alabama much closer in than anything proposed to NW Florida. While the beach in Perdido Key, Gulf Shores etc suffer with the smallest amount of silt from Mobile Bay and The Mississippi River, I have never seen a tarball there, nor any junk that has blown off a rig or support vessel.

I would wait to hear from someone who actually knows what the risk of activity 125 miles offshore is before getting into too deep of a funk. The fellow (I forget his name) who works in the spill mitigation industry who spoke at the forum at SWHS would be a good source.

A popular theory has been that the petroleum companies wanted access to near shore fields as a stepping stone to get to the federal waters...and if that is true, this might be a savior to our beaches. We will just have to watch and see how this unfolds...

 

[Matt J]

It could also be that the USGS has let him know that there's not really any oil there and this is a big April fools joke to the oil companies.

 

[30A Skunkape]

It could also be that the USGS has let him know that there's not really any oil there and this is a big April fools joke to the oil companies.

Well, minority leader Boehner's office has already issued a press release stating that the real estate proposed this morning isn't near enough. Given the fact that this was a bone tossed to Republicans in the hope of warming them up to proposals on alternative energy and climate management, this idea could go nowhere, fast.

 

[Lynnie]

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

Payback for what?

 

[30ashopper]

Well, minority leader Boehner's office has already issued a press release stating that the real estate proposed this morning isn't near enough. Given the fact that this was a bone tossed to Republicans in the hope of warming them up to proposals on alternative energy and climate management, this idea could go nowhere, fast.

"It's long past time for this Administration to stop delaying American energy production off all our shores and start listening to the American people who want an “all of the above” strategy to produce more American energy and create more jobs," the House GOP leader added. "Republicans are listening to the American people and have proposed a better solution – the American Energy Act – which will lower gas prices, increase American energy production, promote new clean and renewable sources of energy, and encourage greater efficiency and conservation."

God, I hate that man. He is such a putz.

Now if this was attached to cap-and-trade, I'd understand the opposition, but Boner is just being partisan here, which will not help the republicans next fall. He should be behind this with the intent to try and open it up more, not against it simply because it's "not his original idea".

 

[Arkiehawg]

God, I hate that man. He is such a putz.

Now if this was attached to cap-and-trade, I'd understand the opposition, but Boner is just being partisian here, which will not help the republicans next fall. He should be behind this with the intent to try and open it up more, not against it simply because it's "not his original idea".

This does not surprise me. It is becoming very clear that the leadership of BOTH sides have NO interest in bipartisanship. The Democrats will continue to push their agenda and could careless whether the republicans are on board or not. The republicans are automatically going to be against everything because it wasn't their idea and their ONLY focus between now and November is the elections. But NOT what is good for the country.

Nuke em all and let God sort it out....

 

[mhasper]

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....

Those persistent Bermuda High southerly winds in the summer will make 125 miles of oil slick drift to our shores a cakewalk. Louisiana-quality beach water here = not good.