Environmentalists Aggravate Problems

[Thorolf]

So the last few weeks, we've had lots of talks about drilling more oil, and the general consensus seems to be that this is probably a good idea.

The only real objection heard, and it's a remarkably idiotic one, is coming from the anti-Bush congressional Democrats (like Obama) who desperately reach for any excuse to not give Bush and the Republicans an inch if they can help it... this one claiming that we shouldn't even bother because it will take time before we actually see any results.

But we've been overlooking something... we COULD be drilling more right now in some areas, but it turns out that it's really not as easy as it sounds. No, not because of the technology to drill in deep water, but because there are groups of people who are committed to hurt their fellow man in order to make sure that some wildlife isn't inconvenienced or have some slight risk of damage.

Shell delays Alaska drilling for a year amid court challenge

By Sheila McNulty in Houston

Royal Dutch Shell said it will delay drilling in offshore Alaska for a year owing to an ongoing court challenge by environmentalists who say regulators should not have approved the project because of risks to whales and other marine animals, Sheila McNulty reports from Houston .

Shell's decision comes amid a national debate over drilling in the US. This week John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate, called for lifting a federal moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling in US waters to reduce dependence on foreign energy sources. The plan been criticised by Barack Obama, the Democratic presidential candidate.

"The US is in an energy supply crisis and delays like this [court case] only extend and aggravate it," said Pete Slaiby, Shell's general manager for Alaska. "The Alaska offshore could be a significant resource for national energy security."...

Way to go environmentalists.

[SquirleyWurley]

What gets me is that, in order to punish recklessness or neglect or greed of corporations, there are these movements to stop off shore drilling altogether, instead of handling the problem through taking another look at regulation and fines, etc.

Most Democrats are concerned about the environment but aren't so extreme or rigid in their view, it's just that environmentalist activists are among the people in the 'big tent' of the Democratic Party, and they can be sticklers.

Luckily, there is a bit of diversity among Democrats, and this is evidenced by the fact that most of them have far less than 100% records according to various political activist's evaluations.  These Democrats will complicate things for Obama should he want to push too far in the direction of a particular constituency.

[Faithfulee]

What gets me is that, in order to punish recklessness or neglect or greed of corporations, there are these movements to stop off shore drilling altogether, instead of handling the problem through taking another look at regulation and fines, etc.

Most Democrats are concerned about the environment but aren't so extreme or rigid in their view, it's just that environmentalist activists are among the people in the 'big tent' of the Democratic Party, and they can be sticklers.

Luckily, there is a bit of diversity among Democrats, and this is evidenced by the fact that most of them have far less than 100% records according to various political activist's evaluations.  These Democrats will complicate things for Obama should he want to push too far in the direction of a particular constituency.

The business of the oil industry is to bring oil to the US consumer and they do a good job of it, in spite of the environmental regulations that they must meet.  I just returned from Alaska where I got a better grasp of the situation there.  The major incident was an oil spill  and that was decades ago, and it left little or no permanent damage.  Since that time we have developed superior technology to drill for oil without damaging the environment.  There is no reason to continue to prohibit drilling in ANWAR.

Alaska is the US's largest state and has by far the most parks, wildlife reserves, and wilderness areas.  I didn't visit ANWAR but it is near Proudoe Bay where we have developed extensive oil resevers and there is much more to be discovered and developed.  The facilities that I did see, like the pipeline are done in a manner that respects the enviornment both for animals and plants.  The current pipeline is about at half it's peak flow and we would benefit from all new oil discoveries.  I can appreciate the concern of environmentalists, but from my observation,  we are very respectful and we can develop these resources without damaging the environment. 

We should drill here, drill now and lower fuel prices.  We should take on the environmenalsts and their supporters and demonstrate to the American Public the success we have had in the past.  More oil and better environmental protections.