White House: Bush to lift offshore drilling ban

up, up, and away! this is not a solution to this problem. it takes at least 10 years to:

1. deed the rights to the oil
2. build the rigs
3. get the oil processed and to the pump

If Congress joins the President in this sensible and long overdue step, watch the price of oil drop. To those who say that announcing drilling today will not affect the price simple economics shows the error of your premise. Oil in the ground has a value that is affected by its future price. If there will be more supply at anytime in the future the value of that oil in the ground is affected. In addition to the direct effect on the price of oil, drilling our own oil will improve our balance of trade and make us less dependent on foreign oil, which should strengthen the dollar against other currencies. Yes we should take a longer term view and encourage development of alternative fuels but for the foreseeable future we will continue to live in an oil-based economy so let's stop letting the dictators of the world hold us over the barrel.

Or we can realize that Oil is a limited resource and that we need to focus on alternative energies and not just keep pushing this off. Stop being so short sighted.

Savvy people? So you know more than the scientists and other people who actually study it? Where are you getting your information from? Any place reputable? Savvy people look at the facts.

I hope you are right, but my bets are placed with the experts. Not some random person who thinks he knows everything.

Oil,Oil, Oil, being a former oil production foreman I have 23 years of knowledge in the aquisition, production and sale of petroleum products and let me tell you there has NEVER been the good of humanity ever in their calculations regarding sales of their commodity. My last company had the business practice to get it, gut it, and get out. AS FAST AS POSSIBLE. Many of it's non producing wells have been ruined by bad production practices. Now they want to drill anywhere? There are millions of unused oil company leased area's and they will never be used if they are not forced to do so. They bought the leases and if they do not drill or modify the property it should revert back to the state, government or landowner. We do not need oil to survive, we do need new inferstructure on CLEAN ENERGY. Not more pollution. Send the billions of dollars going to the rag heads and spend them HERE on new solar cell homes, wind power instalations, wave power generation units, geothermal electricasl power, to name a few. All are clean, madeHERE, and none have to be INVENTED, it's already here. The reason it is not being done is the energy policy adopted by Dick Cheny and his friend at ENRON Ken Lay. The democrats have been stymied by about 10 staunch bush alies in the senate. This nation is in trouble and half of the nation does not see past the end of thier nose's. Wake up before

Pareason:
You are right! I'm so tired of people saying "it will take 10 years" - geez! Of course it will take some time - and this is the same crap people were saying 30, 20 and 10 years ago. And guess what, if we had taken care of and taken responsibility for ourselves 30 years ago, we would be totally energy independent with a wide assortment of energy sources. So keep sitting on your thumbs and do nothing! Alternative energy sources are not viable at this time for the masses. Drill and begin real progress into the alternative area and we will be energy independent in no time!! As long as we are dependent on these wacko countries - we get what we deserve!! And where I'm from, the granolies capital of the country (right up there with Washington and Oregon), the same elite left-wingers living on the lovely coast (actually, our coasts in Southern California aren't that lovely) are the one's driving around in a wide assortment of SUV's, contributing to our dependence on these dictators who are laughing all the way to the bank. People, get rid of the "not in my back yard" mentality!! How dare you think its okay that we suck oil out of the ground in other areas of the world and ugly up their environment, but no, not off my beach or on my land. How arrogant you are!

Hopeful - From one of those 'left-coast' elitists that you seem to have a problem with, I (along with hundreds of thousands others, especially here on the West coast) drive a Prius and get 50-56 mpg! You are correct that if we had followed Pres. Carter's policies and implemented energy conversation, we wouldn't be in this mess. We lost 30 years of progress and trillions of $$'s when Reagan dropped the ball.

Indeed.

Won't happen. Most Governors of coastal states need to get reelected. Most residents don't want oil rigs fouling up the coast. Won't happen in Calif for sure.

Lol...Yup! All Clintons fault!!! Anything current you want to blame on Jimmy Carter, FDR, Abraham Lincoln or Thomas Jefferson too? Poor George W has only been in office for 8 years. What could he have possibly done in a short 8 years to create this mess? I know you had to have voted for George twice...Keep the faith Brother..Lol.

They are not opposing it to be heros - they are opposing it because it would benefit the American People and we are not part of their agendas.

That is why both parties are fighting and not fixing the problems.

THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE US CITIZEN

I'm kinda torn b/c I don't think this will lower gas prices significantly, at least not for two decades or more. But it will create good, decent-paying jobs for working-class folk.

greenguy - Would it really create those good-paying, working-class jobs or would the panic that Bush is trying to create 'drill, drill, drill - we got to drill' be a continuation of the relaxation of labor standards, wages and the importation of 'temporary' labor because it is deemed an 'emergency'? Just like it was after Katrina when most of the work was contracted out and foreign workers were brought in and in many cases abused and used like slave labor.

Do you guys realize that WE export some of OUR oil - drillied here in the USA - because the oil companies can sell it to others for MORE than it costs us to BUY it from others?

If we are in such dire strights that we need to drill MORE here, why don't we just KEEP what we drill and use it here?

Are you sure we have enough oil? And when will it run out? Could you please enlighten us to where you have heard with 100% certainty on the stock piles of oil that we have just sitting off-shore?

Wouldn't you want to keep buying foreign oil and when that runs out use our OWN oil while the rest of the world is clamoring to buy our oil in the future. Our GDP would go through the roof!

I agree with Pres Bush on this, even if not on everything--but being a "senior citizen" who
has watched the process for many years, our main problem is that we have catered to the environmentalists for far tooooo long, and are paying the price for having our heads in the sand. Conservation is what we need, not environmentalism. The earth was ment primarily for humans, with the produce of it to be used and husbanded in a responsible manner. This earth will not last forever, whether we make use of our natural resources or not. The is enough oil and oil shale in our own country to
keep us from being dependent on people who would love to see our economy in ruins.
We should seriously proceed with developing other energy sources, preferably those that
are more environmentally friendly. However, to trash our economy in the meantime to pander to a minority is pure idiocy. The American people are smart, resourceful and love their freedom. I do not believe that they will allow this to continue. If the futures market investors see that we are going to open up offshore drilling, the price of oil, I believe, will drop drastically. After all, what is supporting the middle east economy for the most part is the free world's purchase of their oil. If our economy crumbles, what will it do to the economy of China, Japan and the middle east??

Where did you get your informtion that the "earth was ment (sp) for humans?" That's an interesting concept. Although I don't like the price of gas now, I have learned to work around it....my only hope is that future presidents use their office to allow us to research more viable means of fuel; i.e., ethanol, etc. rather than have the US continually be beholden to anyone with oil. We need to quit wasting time using up our resources and start using the time and money to find alternate resources -- the earth is NOT going to last forever, and although I'm not going to be around to see it, I would like to think my grandchildren, et al, have the same joy I have at being alive and living in the United States....

Ok - We buy foreign oil. Have you ever thought why?

Isn't it smarter to buy and use everyone else's oil before you start using your own? That way, when middle eastern oil wells dry up, who is left with all the chips? We are. Yes, there are stores of oil in Russia, but we have oodles here.

I do want something to be done about gas prices because they are killing me. However, if you stop and think exactly why the USA uses foreign oil you will see that it's a smart move. If we can use US oil as a supplement to middle eastern oil maybe we can get by long enough to recover.

DP-375792 the oil we burn in cars is a minuscule amount of the oil used in this country. The majority of oil is used in production of plastics,pavement,rubber,energy,and many other products that we use daily. Even electric cars are made almost entirely of products produced from oil. So unless you are ready to make everything from metal, glass, or stone get used to oil being used in large amounts all over the world.

well maybe you have the financial means to go out and buy a new car whenever you want...but most us don't...so the whole buy a more efficient car is a dumb, ignorant idea...you must work for an auto manufacturer.....and I live in the country for a reason...public transpo brings lowlife's to the areas you live in...I don't want them here...I say DRILL DRILL DRILL until they come up with a better option, which they will, and it isn;t the governments job to regulate that...i am so sick of all you leftists and you BUSH works for the oil company garbage....the oil companies are in business to make a profit...maybe if the goverment quit taxing them to the point to where the government makes more off a gallon of gas than they do the prices would go down...but that would totally destroy the whole lefts idea of raising taxes

Hey jeepcop, AMEN!!!!!!!!!!

It is important that the people who are doing the voting, and the discussing by the way, look at the BIG picture. Drilling will not effect the price TODAY, but nothing will. This big problem needs to be attacked from many directions including the use of renewable energies, conservation, and the utilization of OUR RESOURCES! This time, however, it needs to be done RIGHT. We have already made many mistakes, and we must learn from them by planning ahead. We can drill offshore while still protecting ecosystems, and when we finally open up Alaska to drilling we can protect the ecosystems there by building wildlife corridors.

It is pandering to the people, who think that Government should "DO Something" about the high price of oil.

Not correct. This is a case where the government needs to get out of the way and let the free market work the way that it should. More supply equals lower price equilibrium.

And I should point out that the Oil Market Bubble that has lived by speculation will die by speculation. Because the price of oil today is unrealistically inflated by speculation, just the NEWS of new oil drilling should cause the price of oil to fall on THE DAY that Congress lifts the ban... not 10 years later.

The Economic idea that "More is Better" is failing. Oil is not an unlimited resource, and therefore "More oil meaning better prices" doesn't ring true.

"More is better" only works on unlimited resources, which oil is not. Congress removing the off shore driving ban won't do a thing but hurt our environment even more.

The only way to substain the use of less oil is population control.
World wide.

I agree that the only way to solve this problem is to curb the demand. The use of fossil fuels including oil has poisoned our air and our water. We need conserve. That way the price will decrease as the demand decreases. I now drive a hybrid and instead of filling my 20 gallon gas tank twice a week, I fill my hybrid one every ten days to two weeks. I still drive to work every day and to my son's house every we

Most people cannot afford a hybrid, though an older honda civc or something similar would help on gas.

Not all of us live near mass transit or have the option of pedaling about. I happen to have to make a 50 mile trip to get groceries, banking, medical, etc. About half of that is what can be called unimproved roads. They are not exactly condusive to Smart cars. I also need my PC incorrect vehicle to tow a trailer needed for work. Buying a second car is not a viable option. Yes, opening up added drilling is only a short term solution but right now there are many who cannot wait it out for the long term. Drill now and meanwhile focus on alternative energies. realize the same groups opposing the drill oppose nuclear energy or new hydro-electric projects.

Oil is bought and sold on a global market. You won't see an appreciable decrease at the pump for another two decades or more.

Typical oil-tanker hugger comment.

Golly - Whatcha gonna do if the oil runs out? Haul that beer gut out of your V12 truck and onto a bike? See? Name calling hurts, J.D.

By the way, LOL at your name.

If you are ignorant of the Alaskan natural environment then you get responses such as cholla...a blissful person, no doubt.

I'm thrilled that gas is over $4.00 per gallon....I hope it doubles. Then all the SUV and over sized pickup drivers can pee their Depends and cry their eyes out. Well deserved for the piggies out there.

Drilling off our beaches and in ANWR can't help the eco-thugs with their over sized vehicles. Now the neighbors are REALLY impressed: "The idiot can't afford to feed his gas hog...ha-ha-ha."

Suck it up, spoiled American.

Well ricardo,

What about those who need their trucks to earn a living? Those that work as private contractors or handy-men depend on their trucks to haul materials needed to perform their jobs.

Do you consider them "piggies" or "spoiled Americans?"

bacos,

Do you honestly believe people like ricardo have families to feed or know what it is like to struggle to make a living. Probably not and if you tell them you rely on your vehicle to make a living they will automatically associate you with some ignorant stereotype seen in mass media. My guess is this guy either lives with his parents or off of donations or government money.

Not to mention the ecosystems that flourish around rigs because of the light and heat... just ask anyone near Mobile Bay where the best fishing spots are....

What amount of food waste are you talking about? Are you sure they do this and if they do, wouldn't the aquatic life consume this? What is the record of the drilling in the North Atlantic, is this how they discard their food waste and has it had an effect?

carolyn,
Good. Food waste can feed the sharks.

You don't even know what you are talking about...I listened to a lady on NPR from Mobile, AL this morning where they do have drilling and their beaches are fine...has caused them no problems at all...PLEASE don't show your ignorgance and please do know what you are talking about before you jump into a debate on an issue.

Haven't you ever noticed all the natual oil seepage? Are you going to go after mother nature for ruining your beaches?

the stupid red state, conservatives, that love this new plan of action just don't get it (renewable).

But but but! Those things don't happen anymore. It's safe! And by golly this is going to solve all of our woes because I said so and I know more than anybody else!

(Sorry, had to get that off my chest)

Who are we kidding? It's a band-aid on a huge, gaping wound and people are happy with that.

havenla,
You mean the kennedy compound complained?

The oil you see on the beaches in Santa Barbara is NATURAL oil seepage!! Check the facts.

Why is it that people are thinking that the second congress removed the ban on drilling that prices are going to drop? OPEC isn't controlling the prices the market is and the value of the US dollar. What is our government doing about the failing dollar, that is just as important.

I would like to know what refineries are going to process this newly drilled oil? From what I understand that majority are at full capacity now.

where does everyone come up with the 7-10 yrs before oil is online? my god you listen to the mass media political crap way too much.

lets see in WW2 we were able to rebuild and industrialize this nation in less than a year to wage world war.

how long do you think it would take them to really build rigs and get oil flowing maybe 1 yr 2 at best. THAT IS IF THEY WANT TOO. you keep thinking that just because they open this up to mineral leases for the US oil companies that they will drill tommorow.

wrong they can sell these leases for profit or sit on them for even more profit. I keep reading the pool of oil that is being pumped in purdue bay alaska has enough oil under to fuel this country for 200 years. maybe they need to build more rigs there first to produce more. but....same ole same ole more rigs cost millions if not more. why would the oil company invest in that?

maybe we need a national oil company but am afraid that will turn into government waste just like everything else they get their hands on.

research purdue bay alaska. check it out..and further more why do oil companies give vague info on oil reserves. well we really dont know how much there is and where it is..BS.

again the people are being lined up and duped with drill drill drill...looks good for the REPs dont it..blame the DEMS they are all equally guilty of serving the masters of big business to gain wealth..

gessshhh grow up and wake up

This article is two years old -

"Apparently, there is a ratio between GDP growth and demand growth for
crude oil. On a worldwide basis, the ratio is 10-to-4. That means if
global GDP grows by 10%, the demand for crude oil will grow by 4%. This
factor varies from country to country. China carries a factor of
10-to-9. Its GDP growth rate is actually 10%, and it is accompanied by
a 9% growth rate in Chinese demand for crude oil.

The oil bears tend to focus on demand, claiming that a U.S.
recession will dampen demand for energy and that China's economy is
going to cool off. I have said repeatedly that Chinese demand may cool
off, but only from maniacal to frantic. However, the problem is really
not so much one of growing demand as it is of diminishing supply."

" As time goes on, the curve quickly gets steeper. By 2008, peak production in the oil patch will be painfully apparent."

Ponder this: Essentially, all of our crude oil comes from areas
in the world that are at war or controlled by our enemies. As Venezuela
and others move to nationalize their respective energy industries, you
come to realize that engineers and professional managers are being
replaced with tyrants and soldiers. Production declines produced by the
resulting inefficiencies are already becoming apparent. There is no
longer any supply cushion, and supply is in a very delicate balance
with demand.

LINK

Perhaps you forgot to read the entire article. The prohibition against drilling has two prongs. One presidential and the other congressional. The president lifted his but the congress has not lifted theirs. If they do not we will continue to be held hostage via high gas prices by radical environmentalists and their cohorts in congress.

Drilling alone will not solve the problem. Neither will it be solved without it.

ROFL

Use spell check, Luigi837. That's what the little red line underneath the misspelled words you type means.

Let me play devil's advocate here for a minute. If Bush is an idiot (or an idot in your language) then aren't we all idiots for becoming so dependent on oil?

I'm no environmentalist - don't get me wrong. But, the next time you hop in your car, just stop for a minute and perform a little self reflection. Ask yourself "Am I an idot too?"

(Sorry, couldn't help myself.)

Bush is a TOOL, there are 68 million acres of untouched property. Why hasn't the oil companies drilled on that property? Congress should lift the ban once all 68 million acres have been used and not before.

Because there's no oil on it.

NJ, check your facts first

The 68 million acres of leased but inactive federal land have the potential to produce an additional 4.8 million barrels of oil and 44.7 billion cubic feet of natural gas each day. This would nearly double total U.S. oil production, and increase natural gas production by 75 percent. It would also cut U.S. oil imports by more than one-third, reducing America's dependency on foreign oil.

primortal,
Your source?

I don't know if this is where Primortal originally found it, but a quick google for it returns this as the first source:

http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=389&Itemid=1

Gay lee,
Maybe it't to force the public to accept the corn ethenol that obama is beholden to. It's not reasonable because of the cost and how it's affecting food cost. But, to hell with the public.

Ummm...I'm sorry but did you not see that George W was the major supporter of Ethenal and T Boone Pickens in disagreement was pushing for wind power?

Amy,
Do you understand the strategic oil reserve?

Good for you, Amy!

Keep waving that flag!

Please explain to the class how this will provide ANY immediate solution? .
. .
. We're all waiting. .
. .
No idea?

Didn't think so.

Want an answer? Read my posting...

The kooky left wingers? Seriously?

Check out the report that came directly from the EIA (part of DOE) and look beyond your nose.

Bush has been right on most issues including this one

You're funny! :-)

Easy to say as a general statement dedblupe, but please list the issues he has been right on?

Lol..Yup!! He's right even when he admits to being wrong..Lol. I feel MUCH better now that he has been at the helm for 8 years. Our country has never been better with the 6 trillion dollars he has spent. A chicken in every pot.. Do you want to blame all our problems an a bunch of ex presidents too?

take off your rosed colored classes and have a look again.

You know, I think I'm going to become a Bush supporter. It seems that the world could fall apart around me and I wouldn't be any the wiser. I kind of like that idea.

Bush bashers,

What is your idea to solve the energy crisis and harm to our citizens? RIGHT NOW !

I actually have a working system that would increase the national powergrid reserves by over 1000% at the same time eliminating the need for any other type of powerplant such as coal burning or nuclear. All using existing materials that would put over 400,000 people to work on a project that would pay for itself. It has many other benefits but suffice it to say those who claim to want answers have not even contacted me back to ask how it works......

Gary - Please share

Sounds like science fiction

Hey Babin...
Actually it works on proven scientific fact.. Post me a signed non disclosure document with a photo of your ID with a signature and I will tell you all about it. sirflying at hot mail.

oil compnaies make 8.3 cents on a galllon of gas...the government makes 45 to 62 cents a gallon, who is making the obscene profits? the goverment does NOTHING to produce the gasoline, the oil companies do...and we live in a capitalist, free market economy...best thing that could happen to this country is open season on leftist Socialists who don't understand their values are not the basic American value of hard work and keeping what you earn

jeepcop, umm the 45-62 cents the government makes pays for the work on our highways and bridges otherwise that money would come out of your pay checks. And if the oil companies only make 8.3 cent per gallon, why are their profits so huge just this year alone?

Ummm...You should at least google the facts before you put them out there... You mean 8.3% and that is an after tax figure...But most are closer now to the after tax figure of almost 11% Sooo... More than your 8.3 cents?..Lol. The government does alot...It gives corporate welfare to Big Oil that outspends social welfare programs by over 10-1. This taxpayer money in subsidies and tax breaks was supposed to go towards exploration, developing current leases (that they are sitting on) and building and maintaining their infrastructure..and we still have our 1930's refineries that do not keep up with demand so they can jack the consumer prices up higher....I know I poke alot of fun at your expense but please learn from whence you speak before you write Oh Mighty Bush Voter....

Primortal,
You mean this does not ultimately come from our paychecks anyway?
Gay Lee,
What don't you understand about the present leases.

Let's forget the political stuff.
What would you do now to end American suffering.
A real workable proposal. Not rhetoric.

I understand the leases quite well.. Offshore drilling is a red herring to divert attention away from the use or lose effort underway in congress...Stop being a sheep.. My answer for the energy problem that can be solved today is already posted previously.

and solar collectors.
We need to do it all.