Congressional Funding Bill Also KOs Offshore Drilling Ban
The recently agreed to stopgap funding bill includes a provision to KO the drilling ban along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. It does NOT reverse the drilling ban along the Florida Gulf Coast [up to 125 miles] that was previously set by separate legislation in 2006. Also, the House legislation passed last week allows offshore drilling 50 miles or greater from the shore along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The Gulf shore has a 125 mile protected zone. However, it should be kept in mind that due to the mileage limitations this still leaves almost 90% of offshore reserves off limits.
Democrats said that after the upcoming election they will aim to enact legislation to limit offshore drilling and instead pursue alternative energy sources such as solar power and wind power.
Where does this leave the public? Renewable green energy sources must be developed as quickly as possible. But, when one sees the anemic goals & targets for how much solar power and wind power and other alternative energy sources we should have by 2010, 2015, 2020, etc., one realizes that we need to continue to supply the growing population of the world with traditional fuels also. GM & Chrysler are telling us about their new electric cars, BUT they will not be delivered until at least 2010 and 2011. AND, when will we replace 18-wheelers with electric and/or hybrid vehicles? We haven’t seen any pronouncements from Detroit [of Japan or Europe] about that.
Photo courtesy of US government.
