April 4, 2010

OBAMA DRILLING PLAN FLUMMOXES LIBERALS

President Barack Obama’s proposal to drill off-shore American waters for oil and gas -- to augment nuclear and hydroelectric power – has made climate-change proponents nervous.

According to his plan, the Department of the Interior will begin lease-sale agreements with companies prepared on drilling 50 miles off the Virginia coast before 2012.  Leasing off other mid-Atlantic and Southeastern states would be authorized in the Interior’s 2012-2017 program.

The plan also calls for opening large stretches of the eastern Gulf of Mexico, which is mostly off-limits under a 2006 Gulf drilling law.

The Hill Daily (independent newspaper publishing congressional activities) points out that while the drilling proposal can be undertaken using executive power, expanded drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico would require congressional approval.

“That will surely play a role in the fight over energy and climate legislation that Democrats hope to bring to the floor.”

INDEPENDENT’S SUPPORT

The Hill opines:

“The White House and architects of Senate Legislation (Senators John Kerry (D. Mass.), Graham (R. S.C.)  and Joe Lieberman (I. Conn.)  risk losing support among liberal Democrats and environmentalists as they seek expanded drilling.

“Kerry, Graham and Lieberman plan to put their own stamp on offshore drilling in the bill they hope to unveil next month.  Senators and industry officials briefed on their plan said earlier this month that it would give coastal-state governments some discretion about the extent of development off their shores.”

It is reported that one idea discussed in briefings on the plan would not allow drilling within 35 miles of the state shore unless the states agreed to it, while it would be allowed in the 35-75 mile range unless states formally objected.

Kerry believes that wider drilling is part of a recipe for Senate Passage.

REPUBLICANS LUKEWRM

Republicans were generally lukewarm – at best – to the administration plan Wednesday.  Many attacked the proposal, calling it too modest.  The plan also scuttles the proposed Alaska sales.

Something else to watch: several lawmakers who support wider offshore drilling want the Senate energy and climate bill to give coastal states a nice cut of what could be millions of dollars in leasing and royalty revenue.

He that falls in love with himself will have no rivals.

Benjamin Franklin

Ten little words to success: If it is to be, it is up to me.

Yard by yard, life is hard.  Inch by inch, it’s a cinch.

Education is what you learn after you think you know it all.

If everyone were logical, cowboys would ride side saddle.

Ranger Doug

By Lindsey Wilger Williams, retired newspaper publisher and syndicated columnist