If Congress Lifts the Offshore Oil Drilling Moratorium, What Happens Next?
The issue then moves to individual states. And there is no guarantee that more oil would flow
Reader Comments
Oil spills in gulf
I don't know where Jim Gigoux of CA gets his information. When I googled Hurricane Katrina and Offshore drilling all the articles that came up reported massive amounts of spills and damage. They reported damge that KAtrina and Rita caused amounted too 113 platforms totally destroyed, and - more importantly - 457 pipelines damaged, 101 of those major lines with 10" or larger diameter. At least 741,000 gallons were spilled from 124 reported sources. In all it was reorted that 6.5 million gallins of oil was spilled in the gulf. Not quite as much as the 11 million gallons spileed by Exon Valdez in '89. The oil companies already have leases that they haven't touched. And the impact of increasing domestic oil and gas production will take 10 to 12. And it's impact will be insignificant. It seems that few can see that it is all just political posturing. I have paid as much as $4.29 a gallon before the prices came back down alittle. Current prices here are still $4.00. What we need is not more drilling but a sustainable enrgy program that focuses on renewable energy sources.
Don't Be Duped!
"According to recent polls, between 55 and 60 percent of Floridians say they support new drilling off their coasts. In California, a slim majority—51 percent—now favor the idea. That number is up by about 10 points from a year ago."
All these polls reflect is the gullibility of the populace to believe the lies and distortions being put forward by the Grand Oil Party trying to stay in power, touting cheap gasoline with no negative consequences. Get a clue! You're being sold a bill of goods and no matter how much oil, (or conversely how LITTLE oil!) is produced from new drilling, it will have absolutely NO EFFECT on gasoline prices.
For the perfect and HONEST explanation for all of this hoopla Google the video of Stephen Colbert debating himself on this very issue on a segment called "Formidable Opponent" where he beautifully sums up the false paradox of offshore drilling and it's effect on gasoline prices paid by Americans.
COLBERT for PRESIDENT in '08!
There must be an election on the horizon...
Gas prices have been steadily falling as of late!
Pollution considerations for offshore drilling
Why has the media, polllutions and environmentalists ignored there was no massive pollution resulting from Katrina's massive destruction/capsizing of offshore drilling rigs, pipelines, barges, coastal refineries, etc.?
The drilling technology of the 2000 is considerably different than the Santa Barbara problem.
Wake up America, we are financing our future destruction by not using our crude our nations tree huggers for not drilling. Ask the Lousiana fishermen if oil drilling has impeded shrimp fishing. Ask Alaskan's if urbanizaation has decreased the bear population.
I was involved in the Paraho Oil Research Project at Rifel,Colorado ln the 1970's. During the winter the switch back road that extended from the processing retort at 6,000 ft elevation and ended at the mine addit at 9,000 ft, 9 head of deer whould gather and beddown on the road facing the winter sun from the SW, where they were sheltered from the northern winds. When our 50 ton trucks rumbled by the deer out drop off the side of the road until the trucks passed. A look in the rear view mirrow and the deer were back on the road before the truck was around the next switch back. The mining and truck activity was of no concern to the deer population
It is those who live in the urban invironment who are the biggest individuals hollering wolf about which they have no direct interaction or knowledge.
drilling
In generations past, national treasure consisted of gold, spices, territory, etc. The currency today is oil and technology. Nations secure in both will be the countries that are strong and secure. Drilling, as part of a greater national strategy, helps to secure our energy independence. This should not be a response to gas prices. While those prices are a catalyst, there is a bigger picture. That is the picture I wish Congress would get its collective head around!
California has lots of oil offshore
We recently offered to produce new oil off Santa Barbara.
See; http://www.strategicnine.com/santa-barbara-energy-home.htm
PRIMARY BENEFITS OFFERED TO SANTA BARBARA COUNTY RESIDENTS
1. $2.50 GASOLINE for all registered Santa Barbara County residents and County vehicles from local oil production.
2. $2.50 GASOLINE for all registered hotel guests in Santa Barbara County.
3. County-wide Clean-Air, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) car conversions facilities.
4. $1.50 CNG for Santa Barbara and Coast residents for flexi-fuel vehicles.
5. Substantial Annual Grants to local environmental study groups and renewable energy programs.
6. Significant decrease in County-wide Air pollution from lower natural reservoir seepage.
7. Much lower C02 emissions for the County and State of California.
8. Significantly reduce potent greenhouse gas methane emissions from offshore gas seeps.
9. Much cleaner Santa Barbara beaches and oceans by reduction in beach tar balls.
10. Large new natural gas supplies from Bering Sea, landing via Santa Barbara County, to lower America’s C02 emissions from out of State coal-fired power plants, which will no longer be needed.
11. Increased local, State and National energy income streams, with monies all staying inside the County and America.
12. Provide Complete Santa Barbara energy self reliance and improve America’s energy security.
13. Significant high-paying local jobs boost.
14. Significant increased cash energy royalties to County of approximately $250-500 million p.a will improve the quality of life for all Santa Barbara County staff and local residents.
15. Special Proposed Community royalty payment from Bering Sea Gas imports landings to fund FREE County-Wide clinics and a new FREE County Hospital.
16. Lower-cost CNG for public transport-busses and vans, will enable disadvantaged and senior citizens to travel more freely.
17. Natural Gas for County home heating and cooking at a 30% discount to the prevailing rate.
18. Significant Increase in Local Property Values due to many of the above benefits.
Our national Policy Should be Obvious
Garber is clearly in the anti-drilling camp as evidenced by his continuous negative articles regarding drilling. He raises bogus reasons why it will not work i.e. lack of drilling equipment (when there will be a demand- there will be a supply). Let's make this simple: we have the oil; we extract the oil; we supply our needs, then we go into competition with OPEC and Russia and sell our oil to the rest of the world; we make lots of money and, if Congress is smart (an oximoron, I admit) we will use the proceeds to: develop alternate fuels for the future so we maintani our new position as an energy exporter, pay off our national debt and fund the rest of the basics that we badly need. We can start by replacing the current idiots in government with people that can grasp the obvious. Garber: how about championing this cause?
Observe what caused recent drop in oil prices!!!
As soon as Obama agreed with McCain that at least "some" off-shore drilling was acceptable as "part" of the solution...
...OIL PRICES PLUMMETED!
Conclusion: most of the run up in oil prices is due to speculators betting that the US will do nothing to add to the world's supply of oil. If congress approves drilling, the doubt thrown into the minds of speculators will keep the prices low until we are able to develop longer range alternatives.
Drill, Drill, Drill
Offshore oil production will likely lower gas prices in 2018 only from 17.89 to 17.79, but much of this money will stay at home instead of going to OPEC. It will provide high paying jobs both on and offshore, especially if Congress ignores industry whining about labor shortages and restricts guest visas.
The most prospective areas in the East are far from the coast and would not be visible except from the tallest of high-rise condos.
Off shore drillimng
And this is how it should be. Off shore drilling should be a states rights issue, if you are a true republican. However,
offshore rigs are in very short supply, and expensive to build.
I'm not sure the drilling boom would occur with $115/barrel oil.
If Congress Lifts the Offshore Oil Drilling Moratorium
How about the opening sentence: "If Congress bows to pressure from Republicans ....."
Be changed to read if the Democrat controlled Congress bows to the wishes of the voters...."
