Friday, December 30, 2011

More drilling, despite BP disaster

Ignoring the lessons of the Deepwater Horizon disaster, House Republicans are calling for a massive expansion of offshore oil-and-gas leasing, including opening the way for drilling rigs in the fragile Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR).

Rep. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio) has a plan to open areas off the Atlantic and Pacific coasts for drilling, and to lift the congressional ban on oil-and-gas leasing in most of the eastern Gulf of Mexico.

Washington State’s own Rep. Doc Hastings, Fourth District Republican, has introduced legislation that would authorize drilling for oil and gas in the ANWR. Hastings chairs the House Natural Resources Committee.

The Republicans argue that expanded energy production will create jobs, reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil and generate revenue for improving the infrastructure. Democrats too want the infrastructure restored, but want the improvements funded by higher taxes on the wealthy.

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