Officials, on Tuesday, announced a not too surprising move - Obama is lifting a many decades ban on oil and gas drilling along quite a large chunk of the U.S. Atlantic coast and northern Alaska. The move, set to be announced at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland, is supposedly part of an effort to reduce the U.S. dependence on foreign imports and secondly is being implemented in order to perhaps win support for an energy and climate bill.
Of course this is a move that's expected to be debated by environmentalists and supported by many long-time pro-drilling advocates.
The "Cannot come close" quote above is somewhat of an understatement. According to the New York Times, there may be only a "three-year supply of recoverable oil and more than two years’ worth of natural gas, at current rates of consumption. But those estimates are based on seismic data that is, in some cases, more than 30 years old."
Some of the no drill debates going on...
Some of the pro drilling debates....
Learn more:
New York Times
NPR
What do you think? Great idea or not so much?
Of course this is a move that's expected to be debated by environmentalists and supported by many long-time pro-drilling advocates.
Quote:
"Drilling alone cannot come close to meeting our long-term energy needs, and ... for the sake of the planet and our energy independence, we need to begin the transition to cleaner fuels now," Obama said in prepared remarks.
The "Cannot come close" quote above is somewhat of an understatement. According to the New York Times, there may be only a "three-year supply of recoverable oil and more than two years’ worth of natural gas, at current rates of consumption. But those estimates are based on seismic data that is, in some cases, more than 30 years old."
Some of the no drill debates going on...
- This will cause too much eco-damage for too little reward.
- This won't get folks on board with climate bills. Obama is just jumping through hoops.
- Coastal Atlantic will suffer from tourism drops, among other things.
- This doesn't exactly address our real issue - the need for drastic long-term reduction in energy consumption. (although, note Obama is also announcing alternative fuel gov vehicles, which some feel is only to placate environmentalists).
Some of the pro drilling debates....
- We shouldn't fuss since we already use oil from other places. If you drive quite complaining.
- This shows that Obama is a middle road kind of guy - which we should appreciate.
- The drilling is being well managed so it shouldn't cause much planet-based damage.
Learn more:
New York Times
NPR
What do you think? Great idea or not so much?
