Republicans next month may try to open new U.S. offshore areas to oil and gas drilling in a move that would bring in billions of dollars in new revenue and let politicians claim progress in boosting domestic energy supplies at a time of record prices.
http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=8599
Of course, this is what the Republicans will do. What makes matters worse, they will succeed. They passed their energy bill. Energy executives and industry lobbyists had been working on variations of this bill for five years. It focuses more on oil companies and nuclear power rather than truly the continued development of alternative energy sources. They legislation calls for an inventory of oil and gas resources in the Outer Continental Shelf, which can damage fisheries and sensitive coastal areas.
The Republicans do not care about the development and distribution of alternative fuels because they are being elected by oil dollars. Naturally, they are going to find away to keep the funnel of funds coming in.
Opening more of the Gulf of Mexico and all areas of the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to energy exploration and production could raise billions of dollars in revenue for the U.S. government from auctioning federal leases.
Hmmm. I wonder who will get these leases and the chance to make money off this oil. Friends of Bush???
The Republicans have already decided to drill in the Artic National Wildlife Refuge. There is no reason to believe they will not increase offshore drilling.
The thought that the U.S. can drill its way to energy independence, however, is a complete fantasy. According to the American Petroleum Institute, the U.S. is now down to just 3% of the world's proven oil resources and based upon current estimates, the total gas and oil reserves off the Florida Coast, would provide for only 2 ½ months of our nation's energy needs.
http://florida.sierraclub.org/offshore.asp
Why in the hell can't they focus on renewable energy sources? This reminds me of movies I have seen where drug addicts are hunting everywhere for their drugs. Under the seats of their cars. Behind the couch. Anywhere and everywhere.
The Republicans have encouraged the American dependence on oil. They are not protecting the public. The evil empire is putting us all at risk with their addiction to money and oil. The Democratic Party needs to hold an serious intervention.
I drive a car. Every adult I know drives a vehicle. Yes, we are all to blame. But the Republicans could help the American public wean themselves from oil dependency if they want to. But they do not. They love our dependence.
We can take action. Here is a link.
http://action.lcv.org/campaign/coastal01