I didn't think it was possible for them to think rationally, but maybe they are finally beginning to realize it's their policies that have driven the cost of gasoline through the roof! They still think oil is everywhere in the sameamount, so wonder why the acreage thatIS available isn't being drilled to recover the nonexistant oil there. Still, it's a step in the right direction. What's next, allowing people to keep more of the money they make?
Bush, Democrats bicker over soaring energy prices
By TERENCE HUNT, AP White House Correspondent 2 hours, 34 minutes ago
[/align][/align]WASHINGTON - President Bush on Saturday tried to pin the blame on Congress for soaring energy prices and said lawmakers need to lift long-standing restrictions on drilling for oil in pristine lands and offshore tracts believed to hold huge reserves of fuel.
[/align]"It's time for members of Congress to address the pain that high gas prices are causing our citizens," the president said. "Every extra dollar that American families spend because of high gas prices is one less dollar they can use to put food on the table or send a child to college. The American people deserve better."
With gasoline prices above $4 a gallon, Bush and his Republican allies think Americans are more willing to allow drilling offshore and in an Alaska wildlife refuge that environmentalists have fought successfully for decades to protect. Nearly half the people surveyed by the Pew Research Center in late June said they now consider energy exploration and drilling more important than conservation, compared with a little over a third who felt that way only five months ago. The sharpest shift in attitude came among political liberals. Democrats say they are for drilling, but argue that oil companies aren't going after the oil where they already have leases. So why open new, protected areas? they ask. Democrats say there are 68 million acres of federal land and waters where oil and gas companies hold leases, but aren't producing oil.
"Americans are fed up every time they go to fill up and they're right to demand action. But instead of a serious response, President Bush and his allies simply repeat the same old line more drilling," Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., said in the Democrats' radio address.
"Democrats support more drilling," he said. "In fact, what the president hasn't told you is that the oil companies are already sitting on 68 million acres of federal lands with the potential to nearly double U.S. oil production. That is why in the coming days congressional Democrats will vote on 'Use It or Lose It' legislation requiring the big oil companies to develop these resources or lose their leases to someone else who will."
"But we know that drilling by itself will not solve the problem of high gas prices," Van Hollen said. "We cannot drill our way to energy independence."
He cited Democrats' calls to tap the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve, because it is full and "America's rainy day is now." And he said the country must focus on new energy policies that focus on alternatives to oil.
Bush said that Democrats are at fault and that "Americans are increasingly frustrated with Congress' failure to take action.
"One of the factors driving up high gas prices is that many of our oil deposits here in the United States have been put off-limits for exploration and production. Past efforts to meet the demand for oil by expanding domestic resources have been repeatedly rejected by Democrats in Congress."
Bush repeated his call for Congress to lift the restrictions, including a ban on offshore drilling. A succession of presidents from George H.W. Bush to Bill Clinton to the current president have sided against drilling in these waters as has Congress each year for 27 years, seeking to protect beaches and coastal states' tourism economies.
(This version CORRECTS that Bush and allies think Americans `more willing to allow' drilling. Moving on general news and financial services. AP Video.)
They're just following the votes, and trying to make it look like they've been on the citizens' side all along. I'm a little surprised on the change of course, but then again, it doesn't take a genius to realize that Americans care more about themselves than some caribou or leopard or whatever critter that they'll never see in person.
I kind of like the new bill "Use it or Lose it". Maybe if they give up what they have we will give them more. I have not seen any real proof that the 68 million acre's that they already have, does not have enough oil on it.
I kind of like the new bill "Use it or Lose it". Maybe if they give up what they have we will give them more. I have not seen any real proof that the 68 million acre's that they already have, does not have enough oil on it.
Yeah at $140/barrel they're just sitting on it.
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Looks to me like they are saying the same thing..Use the land that already is under lease by them first.. Use or loose it to anthor company builds encouragement on the oil companies to start the work.. If not then perhaps another one will. Also under my understanding they have been planning to use it anyways. It just takes along time to study it so drilling will be more effective..So really what has changed?
I think they will say anything that will make them look good, I don't think they will ever come around. I just don't trust them.!!!
After all that liberal mind set does damage brain cells, or you have to lack brain cellsyou automatically becomea liberal. So how could they make a decision that is good for our country?
I think they will say anything that will make them look good, I don't think they will ever come around. I just don't trust them.!!!
After all that liberal mind set does damage brain cells, or you have to lack brain cellsyou automatically becomea liberal. So how could they make a decision that is good for our country?
Man this comment must reflect brain cells at work.......... do they teach this scientific theory in school in TX.............. GA must be so far behind they are still teaching that chemicals or drugs kill brain cells. Keep us on the cutting edge of knowledge, keep posting Rev.
I think drilling should commence immediately in the area's that the oil companies have. All kinds of energy plans could be put into effect NOW, if the gov agreed. After watching a video on the oilsands operation in canada, the influence it had on the towns and the economy is great for canada. On this video, the area's that were strip mined 30 years ago, with proper planting, looked great. I think we could do the same in the U.S. We have OilShale not oilsand, but it, and cole should be increased now, the oil that we have could be tapped if the companies can't find it on the ground they have, after seeing this video, refabbing the land can happen. To get what you need to survive.
I think they will say anything that will make them look good, I don't think they will ever come around. I just don't trust them.!!!
After all that liberal mind set does damage brain cells, or you have to lack brain cellsyou automatically becomea liberal. So how could they make a decision that is good for our country?
Man this comment must reflect brain cells at work.......... do they teach this scientific theory in school in TX.............. GA must be so far behind they are still teaching that chemicals or drugs kill brain cells. Keep us on the cutting edge of knowledge, keep posting Rev.
I wouldnt count on the liberals backing imo- they obvoiusly dont want drilling or anything else that may have some negitives in there back yards.
Thing is caribou in alaska are doing fine & they been drilling there for awhile now. Same with here nothings disapeared or gone extint form oil drilling or other mineral extractions that i know of.
But true i care more about ppl & myself then i doflipper , bambi & bengi.( or kittys orother critters)
( coal & oil in alaska & elsewhere can be had now_) ( bet it wouldnt take as long as claims i have seen)
Id say explore /exploit all avenues of oil & other energys as needed.
.............( got to get started on these things sometime imo..........................................
2.6 trillion is a few barrels.
There are around 600 known oil shale deposits.[1] Many deposits need more exploration to determine their potential as reserves. However, world-wide technically-recoverable reserves have recently been estimated at about 2.8-3.3trillion barrels of shale oil, with the largest reserves in the United States, which is thought to have 1.5-2.6trillion barrels.[2][3][4][5] Well-explored deposits, which could be classified as reserves, include the Green River deposits in the western United States, the Tertiary deposits in Queensland, Australia, deposits in Sweden and Estonia, the El-Lajjun deposit in Jordan, and deposits in France, Germany, Brazil, China, and Russia. It is expected that these deposits would yield at least 40liters of shale oil per tonne of shale, using the Fischer assay.[6][7]
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Even LIBERALS now coming around on drilling
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