Yesterday I wrote that I feared Obama is going to take credit for Palin's pipeline if it's a success. Plans are in the works to turn it into a federal public works project. Today I read that Obama is planning even more federal intrusion in Alaska's energy production. He suspended offshore drilling for six months. This is not good. I hate to see the federal government telling the states what they can and can't do. Senator Lisa
Murkowski says it better than I can:
"Every state should have the opportunity to decide for itself whether it wants to develop its offshore resources. Those states that choose to allow development should benefit by receiving a fair share of federal revenues from production."
Amen sister. You go girl. Obama hasn't even been to Alaska (and is proud of it). He shouldn't be making decisions that so deeply affect Alaskan livelihood without doing major research first. Also, isn't there a recession going on? A catastrophic apocalypse that Obama must fix or else the world will explode? It seems like Alaskan offshore drilling would be way far down the list considering. He really is determined to f*%# up Palin's chances of running isn't he?
Interior Department announces 6-month hold on offshore drilling
KTUU.com
by Ted Land
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
ANCHORAGE, Alaska -- Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced Tuesday that offshore drilling on the outer continental shelf is on hold, saying more input is needed from communities affected by oil and gas development.
This was the first major announcement from President Barack Obama's administration on the energy front.
"The oil and gas industry should not see the Obama administration as their enemy," Salazar said.
It's not that they're against drilling. Rather, the new Interior secretary and his boss see this as a necessary step away from the policies of former President George W. Bush.
"Frankly I think what this shows is a dramatic change from the last eight years where you had a one-road highway to energy independence which was drill, drill, drill," Salazar said.
The outer continental shelf is federally controlled waters miles off shore. The Bush administration opened it to oil and gas drilling this past year. It made the move in the interest of energy independence, but some were concerned it was getting out of hand.
"The conservation community sees a place for oil and gas development, but it was so much, so fast, so extreme that people felt like it was time to slow down," said Eleanor Huffines, regional director for The Wilderness Society.
During the six-month moratorium, Salazar will hold a conference in Alaska so people here can weigh in on the issue.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski already has, saying "every state should have the opportunity to decide for itself whether it wants to develop its offshore resources. Those states that choose to allow development should benefit by receiving a fair share of federal revenues from production."
Sen. Mark Begich added: "I am pleased the secretary wants to take a comprehensive look at the country's energy needs and will allow more time for full discussion of offshore oil drilling as well as other energy options."
The Alaska Oil and Gas Association said they are disappointed whenever a timeline is extended, but are encouraged the Obama administration wants to make the OCS part of their energy plan.
Plans to drill in the Chukchi Sea and Bristol Bay are not affected by this latest decision.
1 comment:
That's exactly what he'll do. Just like how he took credit for any and all legislation that came across his desk while he was a Illinois senator. You know, from all that "bill-jacking" that he did...proudly. None of them were originally his, but he sure likes the sound of his name on them, though.
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