Offshore drilling Vs Conservation

But the media says the polls show the public favors off-shore drilling. Blame the media for that--the public is being misinformed.

Real conservation and energy issues are not being discussed so far in this campaign. And the Congress is gridlocked over off-shore drilling vs oil price speculation while the stock market tumbles.

I saw an Obama commercial tonight where those LA desert windmills were shown as the example for conservation. Sorry, Barack. That isn't enough to sway Peioria. Better to show a Prius.

 

The American public now is like Rome before the fall of the Roman Empire, they don't want to believe that the Empire is falling, oil will be plentiful, if only we drilled offshore, forget any other thoughts.

 

It's in the combination of things implemented now not 30 years from now. Waiting like we did from the 70's is part of the problem.

Every thing will contribute as we continue to ween our delves off oil for transportation.

D.C. is like CA and the bill about the deaf. Only they are deaf. They tell you what you want to hear to get in then their heads swell.

 

Yup. Thank you government propaganda!

... Brad

 

This is a very strange site! People want to be helpful yet get slapped in the face. People want to raise the cost of heating oil to $8-$10, put the economy in the tank and they get a pat on the back.

This is part of the problem with the US - Ameri-phobes!

 

My response to the comparison is ... why not do both? Pump up the tires, mandate an MFD in every new car, build and buy more fuel efficient vehicles, implement more and better mass transportation, etc. AND increase domestic oil exploration along with heavy investments in all alternative forms or energy. There can be a middle ground.

 

Tell that to those fools out East!

Oh, that's right, it's time for a vacation. Should pass legislation (the people not the fools, put it to a vote for us) No vacation until work is done or attaching crap to a bill you know is going to pass.

Hate to use the term, term-limits because you do need people with experience. But maybe there should be a limit 3-4 terms.

 

Looks like drive 55 (something we've already done in this country) saves quite a bit.

Tie the two together. If people aren't willing to drive 55, then no offshore drilling. Then see how popular it is.

 

What most environmentalists don't seem to get (and probably most drill-now people unfortunately) is that increased drilling in the U.S. is not a barrel for barrel/dollar for dollar offset, it is significantly higher than that.

The U.S. is stable, so U.S. supply is not subject to the whims of wacky socialist dictators or religious nut jobs. Thus, speculation is curbed.

Second, fear of increased (stable) U.S. production keeps the wacky nut jobs honest(ish) in their production as they fear our independence.

Now is drilling all we should do? NO, unfortunately even I have come to the conclusion that independence from foreign oil will not come about by market forces.

I would support the complete removal of gasoline and diesel powered vehicles from the being sold in the U.S. within 10 years and about 100 square miles of solar panels in the freakin desert.

NONE of this is done for the environment. I would put solar cells where they would be most effective and to bad if a tortoise has to live in the shade or go extinct. This is about energy independence ONLY, and what oil we do drill can go toward plastics, our military, air travel and buying up the holding the rest of the world hostage when they need oil.

 

Thank God for that! I mean you wouldn't want to accidentally do something good for the world around all of us.

... Brad

 

Right on. It's going to take a willingness for people to come out of their silos and find common ground to accept some things they may not like, for the common good.

If the majority of comments on this forum are any indication, we have a long way to go.

 

So you would support offshore drilling if the speed limit is lowered to 55? If so, we are in rare agreement.

 

Oh, not on such simplistic terms. With a lot more restrictions. But if people aren't willing to drive 55, which will save much more gas immediately, I see no reason to even start the process of how offshore drilling might be limited under strictly enforced guidelines. And make no mistake, people will not voluntarily drive 55. They'll say let the other guy do it. It would have to be mandated by law and then our Highway Patrols would be spending a lot more time attempting to enforce it.

This is not tickee, no laundry. You don't get one without the other. And drive 55 comes first. The public will find they are less inclined to one and will give up their fascination with the other. And probably start listening to the facts.

 

I think 55 as law is fine in most urban areas. Rural areas I think 65 is fine (down from 70).

IMO, drilling offshore here is probably more environmentally friendly than drilling in places where there are few environmental controls and where the crude then has to be shipped vast distances (using energy and risking accidents) to refineries in the U.S.

 

Racist

 

Whereas I think if we drive 55 and do a lot of other things besides drilling, we can reduce our importations. And what we do to cut our consumption can serve as a model to others. As is, what others are doing is being ignored by the U.S. in favor of drill, drill drill.

Offshore drilling is never environmentally friendly.

 

Right!

But the problem with your pie in the sky charts is that they don't show oil imports.

Yes, Pie in the Sky! Or are you really being that bullish on fuel cell vehicles?

I don't believe I've heard anyone say, "Let's ONLY drill more." Do you have any examples you can share with us?

And WHY NOT ALSO drill? Even if the US didn't need the oil [yeah, right!] . . . wouldn't it be nice to then be an oil exporter and earn back many of those petro-dollars we squandered?