Summer CE Week #6: “Americans tired of anti-drilling bit”
Ben Lieberman
August 23, 2008
I f only drivers could avoid high gasoline prices as easily as Congress has avoided doing anything about them.
Gas has dipped below $4 a gallon for the first time in months, but prices are still uncomfortably high and likely will stay that way through November. Thus, the pain at the pump will remain a big election issue.
But now that members of Congress are home for the August recess and are asking voters to re-elect them, they’ll have to explain why the single best energy idea – expanding domestic oil production – isn’t even on the agenda.
Other measures – crackdowns on speculators, subsidies for alternative energy sources, tax hikes on oil companies, prohibitions on price gouging – have been subject to endless debate, leading to legislative proposals voted on by Congress. These ideas range from mildly useful at best to downright counterproductive at worst. Some, like the tax increases and price-gouging measures, are retreads of blunders that prompted shortages and gas lines in the 1970s. Thus far, none have passed.
A far better option is to open the vast oil-rich areas in the United States – both onshore and in our territorial waters – that inexplicably remain restricted despite skyrocketing prices. Polling shows that the public strongly supports opening the 85 percent of America’s offshore areas currently off-limits – areas believed to contain 19 billion barrels. The same is true for promising onshore regions such as Alaska’s Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, a tiny portion of which is estimated to contain 10 billion more.
Those 29 billion barrels – and past experience suggests we’ll find far more – represents 48 years’ worth of current imports from Saudi Arabia.
Increasing domestic oil supplies is an indispensable part of a sound energy policy. Americans get this, even if some in Washington don’t.
Several bills, sponsored mostly by Republicans, seek to open these areas. Republicans also have sought to add these measures as amendments to other energy and non-energy legislation.
Not only has the House and Senate Democratic leadership opposed these efforts, but they have used every tactic in the book to keep them from coming to a vote.
Amazingly, they have even shelved appropriations bills – the ones politicians love to fill with pork-barrel spending in an election year – rather than see pro-energy amendments tacked onto them. Some say a government shutdown is possible, if Republicans insist that the bills needed to keep federal activities going also allow new drilling and if the Democratic leadership refuses to go along.
Many Republicans even tried to block the August recess and keep Congress in Washington until an agreement was reached on increasing domestic oil supplies. They failed, but some refused to go home anyway and continued making their case.
It should be emphasized that, although Republicans are leading this charge, it isn’t entirely a partisan issue. The strongly liberal Democratic leadership – Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and their like-minded colleagues – is at odds with a number of pro-energy Democrats who would join Republicans and put a domestic energy bill over the top.
This is why the leadership is stonewalling: They’re desperate to avoid a vote they know they would lose.
Pelosi, Reid and other critics of expanded drilling are not without their excuses: There isn’t enough new oil out there to make any difference, it will take too long to bring it to market, oil companies don’t need new places to drill because they’re deliberately under-producing in existing areas, and so on.
None of these claims have merit, but those who do believe them should be willing to say so in an open debate over a drilling bill, and then proudly vote no on that bill. Instead, they have gone miles out of their way to avoid that debate and vote.
The reality is that the liberal Democratic leadership is too beholden to environmental extremists whose “drill nowhere” absolutism takes precedence over pump prices, no matter how high they may go. And this position has never been more out of touch than it is now.
So Congress adjourned without adding a drop of new oil, and members are back in their states and districts where high pump prices remain a top concern. Don’t be surprised if constituents angry over paying $70 per tankful give their representatives an earful.
Well you can’t blame the problem completely on democrats. Obama, obviously supports off shore drilling, and I would be willing to bet that if he were elected drilling would become legal. Its straight politics, the Democrats are waiting to solve the problem until a democrat is elected so they look like the heroes. I agree in some ways that oil prices won’t drastically drop. Yes, oil will drop in price because there will be much more oil on the market and speculators won’t be able to charge us outrageous prices for what oil may cost in the future. At the same time however, oil companies may still deliberately under produce to make more money. The author is right though; something needs to be done immediately to remedy the situation. It’s pretty ridiculous that we should pay $4 a gallon for gas when there is literally the same amount of gas that there was in 1990 when gas was what $1.50 a gallon? Congress obviously doesn’t care that much about prices. It’s pretty pathetic when congress can’t look past a party title to solve a problem that is affecting everyone? It seems like you should be able to see that you are all Americans and a solution needs to be met but hey what do I know right? Obama 08’
First of all I do not like this author, he is completely adamant about his position. He refuses to give the other side the benefit of the doubt, he does believe that anyone other than himself and those who agree with him have anything to say that would be worthwhile to hear or have any merit at all. He is not a debater, and that is what America needs, people to debate over the best solution to a problem and then the best way to implement that solution. The increased drilling would actually put more stress on the market while the drills and refineries were built. If the decision was made it would be made among promises to lower fuel costs, when the costs rise the people would call foul. Even then the extra drills would not be a solution. It is a tourniquet, keeping America from hemorrhaging all it’s money into the Middle East. Even then the fuel would eventually run out. The only solution to our fuel problem is to rid ourselves of our addiction to it and find new energy sources. There are many alternatives for energy they just need to be developed.
I think for once in America’s history the nation is beginning to see the aftereffects of such a divided country and their parties. The blue and red colors are beginning to bleed through because we as a country are so stuck on our party’s name that we won’t get off our pedestal and think about what’s really the best option for our country. I think the one thing our nation isn’t divided on is the pain when we begin feeling in our guts when we pull in to the gas station. The price of gas is $4 and we all finally see that this is a killer chunk out of our paycheck. I think for once in our nation’s history we need to forget our political parties and agree on what a good tank should really cost. Now I’m not saying that if our parties drop their differences our gas stations will drop their prices in honor of the current stock we have of oil. Not saying that gas stations will realize what a steal they’ve been making for all these years but maybe, just maybe something will click. Now we can say to ourselves that people won’t continue on this ever-so draining experience at the gas station but we can say that they for sure have enough to share the wealth when it comes to consumption of gas.
Say “aye” if you are tired of restrictions on oil and just want things to get done.
AYE!
Anyways, this whole not drilling bit is getting pretty ridiculous. And saying that it wont help is even more ridiculous, because it will and you know it. “But it will take 5 years to work.” Well that’s a better economy in 5 years, besides it is the fastest way to sole our problem.
By the way Palosi is not doing jack. Miss “turn off the power to the Republicans who are trying to solve an energy problem while I do nothing.” She just jumped on the band-wagon because it is the more popular thing. If she really had a change of mind/heart she wouldn’t be piling the restrictions up the wazoo (and I don’t even like that word “wazoo” it sounds stupid).
If you say that America is addicted to oil it’s more like: Oil is to America as heroin to a heroin addict. (sorta because unlike heroin oil has it’s uses). My point being that you cannot rip oil away from a country it’ll die, you have to find a different means then take it off safely.
So AYE!
(I’ll save HUZZAH! for when we win and get oil.)
Why can’t Congress ever get anything done? People obviously support the decision to legalize off shore oil drilling. Doesn’t it go “We the People”? So shouldn’t Congress listen to our desires not what they think is best? I’m tired of reading these blog articles about politicians continuously postponing the decision to come to a conclusion. Thankfully some of them are going the extra mile to get a decision made by staying in Washington during the recess. That at least shows some sort of determination. But these politicians are getting paid enough that they don’t have to worry about paying too much at the gas pump. Those who are against it seem to have the most worthless arguments. “There isn’t enough, it will take too long, oil companies are purposely producing less.” Of course there is enough. Like the article said, there is like 10 billion barrels in one little section of Alaska. Who cares if it’s on a Wildlife Refuge, they can move but the oil can’t. I know it sounds a little harsh but that’s the way life is, right? Survival of the fittest. With another 19 billion barrels in oil available, shouldn’t we be jumping at the chance to make some of our own oil?
In respnse to Eric, I rather like the author. I think it is good that he is adamant on his position. America does not need a “debater”, America needs a soulution to the prices at the pump. Now, I guess there is no way to know for sure that creating new oil refineries would lower gas prices, but it is a heck of a lot better than sitting back and doing nothing. Yes, we should continue researching alternative energies, but we’ve been doing that for a long time and nothing effective enough to replace oil has presented itself yet. Besides, even when we do discover a different way to power our cars , that doesn’t necessarily mean it would be cheaper.
I kind of can go either way on this issue. I hate the dependence America has on oil, and ultimately the Middle-East, as a source of energy. I think that we need to develop new, more environmentally-friendly, low-cost (and self-dependent) sources of energy. As a nation, we have looked into that, and we have found some promising possibilities, but as of yet, we have not had a great success in finding alternatives that will help now.
That can mean a few things: We, as a nation, need to be more patient (as gasoline slowly makes it’s way to $10 a gallon). Or we can open up our drilling sites, which will still take a few years to get onto the market. And lastly, probably not what anyone in this country wants to hear, we can lessen our dependence on oil by using public transportation and maybe even use bicycles or running as a mode of transportation…How dreadful.
As far as drilling in Alaska goes, I would need to be more informed about the ramifications. I would need to know the effect on the animals and all of the pros and cons. And Austin, I would also like to know how moving the animals or, as I would put it, displacing the animals from their natural environment, would effect them. Could they thrive in a different place? Migrational patterns may also be thrown off by drilling in the protected area.
“Turn on the TV and everything is lookin dismal” (Big Boi of Outkast, “The Whole World”). Doesn’t that seem to exemplify everything that our country is going through? Can’t, we as a country, ever see anything on television, or in the news, that makes us feel hopeful for a brighter future?
I find it really funny these days when we drive around town and see that gas is 3.90 and we are excited. It is still extremely high and I would have to say that whoever is elected into office this November needs to make changing this a high priority on their ‘to-do list.’ But I would have to wonder why expanding domestic oil production isn’t on the agenda for Congressmen? That seems rather strange to me. It is probably one of our most needed problems to be fixed and it’s not even on the list!!! I just don’t get it. Although opening our own oil-rich areas in the United States seems like a good idea, I am not sure if this is the solution to this problem. Yes, in the short term this would help lower our gas prices, but what about once these oil-rich areas run out? Granted this would probably be in the far future but once they do eventually run out, then we are back to the same problem. But maybe they would last long enough for us to make a difference. I do think that Congress should have avoided their August recess to reach an agreement about our oil issues. But apparently their own lives are more important than our nation’s problems.
I should start off by asking the question, why Congress would not want to pass on off shore drilling bill. Well this may not be the right answer, but it is as good as any. They have the money to pay for the gas and why lose when you yourself do not have to. For the Democrats, I will give them benefit of the doubt; really need to stand behind this bill if they really want the votes for Obama. I know Obama has said he supports this, but what he says does not always stay that way. This is going to be a big issue during this election and the people are really going to look at this and ask which candidate will save me the most money. I also give high fives to those Republicans (and any of the Democrats) that have stayed on to try to fix this problem. What they need to is drill and then move on the other resources provided.
The only question I would have about drilling in the states is if gas goes down, where the money will come that pays for road work and other expenses. We obviously will have a hard time coming up with it from somewhere else.
In Response to Erik:
America does not need a debater. America needs someone to get this nation out of the war and away from economic depression. I have to agree with you though that drilling may not be the best solution to our problems, as you point out, the cost to start, and the time it takes to get into the market. I don’t know how the author could say that none of the claims that the democratic leaders have merit. I think that even if we do open up our drilling spots, companies will still under produce, which will end up costing Americans’ money.
Anyways, I still believe, and I agree, that alternative energy sources are a must for our nation, but that does not solve a lot of problems now. Right now, we need to lessen our dependence on oil, even if so slowly. I hate to say it, but I like the way China uses public transportation and also has a lot of non-motor vehicle transportation (pretty much the only thing I like about China).
When it is all said and done, the issue comes down to America’s willingness to sacrifice and slowly quit this addiction we have to oil.
“Why everything that’s s’posed to be bad, make me feel so good?\ Everything they told me not to, is exactly what I would.\ Man I tried to stop, man I tried the best I could,” (Kanye West “Addiction”). We need come off the oil, plain and simple.
I find it truly sad that such a huge problem is not even on the agenda for Congress. This is a problem that is affecting everyone in the U.S. and nothing is being done. Why should we not take advantage of our resources when they are laid bare in front of us? The United States is far too dependent on the Middle East for oil – far too dependent on oil itself. Though I think that drilling in and around the United States should be acceptable, I do not think that this will be the answer to our problems. Companies are going to try to make money. Like anyone else, these people are trying to make a living, and they will take advantage of U.S. oil. Like Sam said, companies may deliberately raise the prices even though there may be plenty of oil. The only solution is, I think, to develop new sources of energy that are cleaner, more abundant, and safer. Until then, I think that we should drill in the United States. It may temporarily alleviate the pressure of high prices, and it will certainly lessen our dependency on the Middle East. We can then focus on new sources.
Why are the Democrats being such scaredy cats. The Republicans see the big problem with oil that the United States is having and are facing it head on while the Democrats are running home. They do know that this is going to hurt them in the long run right? Obviously the public is going to be on the side of the Republicans during election if the Democrats keep it up. The Democrats “drill nowhere” no matter how high the gas prices may go is really going to kill them. Gas is a really big problem right now and I don’t see why the Democrats think that they can avoid it and just run home for vacation. How sad can you get, really?
These pollings that show that the public strongly supports opening the 85 percent of America’s offshore areas currently off-limits is exactly what I was talking about in the last article that said they would have the states vote for or against the drilling. I was right! Of course the public would vote yes for drilling. Why do the Democrats not see that the public is all for the drilling and do something about it like the Republicans are?
In response to Alexa:
It is sad that such a huge issue is not in the agenda. I agree that we should use our own sources first, and THEN focus on new sources. If we can’t even figure out how to not be dependent on countries we war with for such a huge part of our lives, we need to just be focusing on that. Just focusing on not being dependent on them. Then we can take care of our precious hydrogen powered mini cars.