U.S. House to vote on offshore drilling Tuesday

by Amy Judd | September 16, 2008 at 01:37 pm

832 views | 4 Recommendations | 17 comments

The US House of Representatives will most likely vote today on an energy package that will open a lot of coastline to offshore drilling.

The package proposed by Democrats would give states the option to allow drilling between 50 and 100 miles (80 and 160 km) off their shores. Areas more than 100 miles from the coast would be completely open to oil exploration.

Until recently, Democratic leaders in Congress strongly opposed lifting the moratorium on offshore drilling, saying drilling would have only a small impact on gasoline prices in the immediate future.
But as gasoline prices rose to levels above $4 a gallon this summer, publiilling.

“The choice on the floor today is the status quo that is preferred by Big Oil...or a change for the future to take our country in a new direction,” House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told reporters Tuesday.

“Republicans must set aside their drill only mentality and embrace the provisions of this legislation, which is balanced, which is comprehensive, which respects the needs of the consumer, She added.” Conservation groups blasted the House bill, however, for not respecting the environment.

Drilling for oil is still seen as a dirty and unintelligent way to fix the problem of rising gas prices.
Also later this week, the Senate is expected to decide on whether to expand offshore drilling, but not as much as the package currently in the House.

Environmentalists think there must be a better solution, but that remains to be seen.

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jessica.lam

at 13:42 on September 16th, 2008

It's hard to say with all the government policies which ones will work.

apple_jamz

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 14:21 on September 16th, 2008

amyjudd, I like this story. It's good stuff.

I hope it doesn't happen!

chowdawg

at 14:50 on September 16th, 2008

Considering the US consumes something like 25% of the world's oil, I doubt that any offshore drilling efforts would provide enough oil to ease prices at the pump and alleviate any kind of concern.

Fairbanks

at 15:24 on September 16th, 2008

chowdawg:

Right, but watch what is happening. The % will begin to drop. 24% 23% 22% . . .

In a few years, because the country wants it so, the story should be quite different.

World_Groove

at 14:59 on September 20th, 2008

I think the 25% figure comes from several years ago, before China really burst into the scene with their massive economy.

As long as the US has real intentions of moving forward with alternative fuels and energy, then as much as I dislike the idea of off shore oil drilling, it will be in the nations interest in the interim. We can not make the switch "cold turkey" and the suppliers are not happy we are considering making the switch so pricing will be even more erratic in the future unless we can offset any shortages in production that could crop up by using domestic supplies. All this being said, unless we move forward with alternative fuel options as a nation, I am against drilling.

But hey... thats just my opinion.

kamerachimera

at 23:16 on September 16th, 2008

kamerachimera has contributed a photo to this story.

Gary Williams

at 00:50 on September 17th, 2008

The solution for the future is without doubt a complex combination of the utilisation of many forms of energy sources coupled with a wise use of energy policies. Exploration and the development of new oil and gas reserves along with the incorporation of new technologies to maximise the dwindling reserves in the older fields and those previously considered as marginal or too low yield to be of value.

Renewable sources will have a major role to play but will not in our lifetime, or even our offsprings lifetime, replace conventional energy dependancy.

Oil companies and energy agencies are fully aware of this, but the reality is being undermined by the environmental lobbyists who seem to be determined to dismiss the role fossil fuels will play in the future.

Through wise use of energy and investment in innovation the percentage dependancy of the west and new rising demand in the far east will ease but only if the need to make changes is aceepted globaly.

For more information of curent ideas and developments you may be interested in looking at www.eeegr.com

Gary Williams

Sam.Seyffert

at 01:23 on September 17th, 2008

If Amercans would be wise, they would allow drilling, applying the best and newest technologies and procedures to avoid environmental impact as much as possible. But at the same time they should understand that the need to take a serious look at their oil consumption patterns, and realise that the age of large engined gas guzzlers is over for good. It is something Europe learned years ago. Just look at the difference in economies between European and American haulage truck engines. If you can do the same using less fuel, why use more. The question is, will the Americans be wise..? I mean, they voted twice for George W. and now they are seriously considering Palin.

Sam.Seyffert has contributed a photo to this story.

dans le grand bleu

at 01:47 on September 17th, 2008

Stena Don, built in Rostock, passing the Oeresund. The rig is just being floated off the boa barge

dans le grand bleu has contributed a photo to this story.

forthebetta (not verified)

at 10:22 on September 17th, 2008

Sam.Seyffert, you contradicted yourself saying we (Americans) "would be wise" to drill our own oil, and then you ridicule Sarah Palin who wants to drill our own oil more than any other politician. get your facts straight.

By the way our transportation systems are being used wherever they are, but not everywhere has them. Also, SUVs are going out-of-style quickly, so y'all aren't too far ahead.

At least we're not being out-bred by jihadists.

sailormancga72

at 10:47 on September 17th, 2008

Early morning shot of a jack-up drilling rig undergoing repairs in a South Texas shipyard

sailormancga72 has contributed a photo to this story.

Jan Berghuis

at 21:38 on September 17th, 2008

This picture shows the installation of the new drilling tower on Shell Mars TLP by the Heerema installation vessel 'Thialf' in the Gulf of Mexico.

Jan Berghuis has contributed a photo to this story.

Jan Berghuis

at 21:43 on September 17th, 2008

The old drilling tower collapsed during a hurricane and also damaged the TLP as well. Heerema was contracted to remove the damaged drilling tower with her installation vessel 'Hermod'and after fabrication a new one was installed by the 'Thialf'

Ken Doerr

at 22:55 on September 17th, 2008

Don't drill for your own offshore reserves? Go to the bottom of the class! Now that would be a class all of your own as no other nation with ANY mineral reserves will punish itself in such a way.

As for it being a dirty business - it needn't be and it is our immediate hope if we are to push through to the next era of available eneregy, whatever that may be. We left coal in the ground and moved on; oil and gas will suffer likewise. If you want to know where your next big issue is looming from, it's the stuff you drink everyday - and folks will happily pay through the nose for a little bottle. Don't waste your time getting huffy over fossil fuels when tap water doesn't suit your ego taste buds. You will drink from the gutter and get there in a smokey old flatbed if you're desperate; and you are one nation of 'have's' - go to Africa and ask the man in the street if he pefers French or glacial bottled water.

Get real, or at least die trying.