No Offshore Drilling #7
As long as we’re on the subject of drilling and oil, take the time to read and/or view Obama’s energy speech in Michigan. Despite the best efforts of our mainstream media to frame it badly, there were some progressive, aggressive ideas in it that deserve sunlight.
I also believe that in the short-term, as we transition to renewable energy, we can and should increase our domestic production of oil and natural gas. But we should start by telling the oil companies to drill on the 68 million acres they currently have access to but haven’t touched. And if they don’t, we should require them to give up their leases to someone who will.
and this, specifically:
Like all compromises, this one has its drawbacks. It includes a limited amount of new offshore drilling, and while I still don’t believe that’s a particularly meaningful short-term or long-term solution, I am willing to consider it if it’s necessary to actually pass a comprehensive plan. I am not interested in making the perfect the enemy of the good particularly since there is so much good in this compromise that would actually reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
I still disagree with any effort to open our shores to drilling. I will continue to oppose it. However, I recognize the pragmatic wisdom in choosing not to make the perfect the enemy of the good.
Sphere: Related ContentBig Oil, Alternative Energy and John McCain
The numbers in this video are astounding. They can be verified at the Center for Responsive Politics.
In fairness to Sen. McCain, here is his entire answer to the question about requiring the oil industry to pursue alternative energy resources for context:
MR. HARWOOD: You would not require the oil industry to use its profits to help pursue alternative energy?
SEN. MCCAIN: I would not require them to. But I think that public pressure and a lot of other things, including a national security requirement that we reduce and eliminate our dependence on foreign oil — and we stop the contamination of our atmosphere, which is — and climate change, which is real and is taking place.
I’m of two minds on this, to be honest. It bothers me to think about the companies who are sucking the life blood out of our economy right now getting a second bite at the apple by owning alternative energy technology that we all need. I’d just as soon ban them from the R&D of alternative energy because I’m not interested in having them control my access to it.
On the other hand, it seems as though some of the obscene profits they’re currently raking in should be reinvested here, but NOT by drilling.
What do you think?
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