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Democrats to let offshore drilling ban expire
It was decided today that the House Democrats will now allow a drilling ban to expire, meaning oil can now be drilled off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts starting next week.
This could be very hazardous for the environment.
Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey is telling reporters that language continuing the moratorium will be omitted this year from a spending bill to keep the government in operating funds after Congress recesses for the election.
Republicans have made lifting the ban a key campaign after gasoline prices soared beyond $4 a gallon this summer and public opinion turned in favor of more drilling. President Bush lifted an executive ban on offshore drilling in July.
The Interior Department estimates there are 18 billion barrels of recoverable oil beneath coastal waters now off-limits.
See some previous NowPublic coverage here.





Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (2)
at 14:46 on September 23rd, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.
Nice to see the Democrats earning their Green credentials. How unbelievably short-sighted of them.
at 17:00 on September 26th, 2008
amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.