Textbook Compromises on Offshore Drilling
Politics is the art of compromise, right? So, environmentalists should ask not only for no new drilling, but...?
«I'm not knee-jerk opposed to anything,» said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.). «We're willing to work. We haven't shut our minds to anything.»
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) said he sensed there were enough votes from
his Democratic colleagues to expand offshore drilling into new areas —
and that the eastern Gulf of Mexico «should be one of the first places
we should look.»Although Senate Democrats are slowly easing away from opposition to
offshore drilling, it's clear that the majority party is not giving it
away for nothing.One idea floated by Reid would require that whatever oil is drilled in
newly opened areas would need to be sold in the United States.Democrats also want any compromise plan to include investments in clean
and renewable energies, a crackdown on oil speculators and proof that
the oil and gas companies are fully utilizing land that is already
leased for exploration.«If they were showing in good faith that they were drilling on some of
the 68 million acres they have now, it might change some of our
attitudes,» said Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.).Majority Whip Richard J. Durbin (D-Ill.) said that he was open to
drilling in new areas but opposed to «offshore drilling if there is any
environmental impact.» Durbin reiterated the call for oil companies to
drill in areas covered by existing leases first, but then added:
«Beyond that, if there is a suggestion of some new area to go into,
I'll look at it.»Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), fresh from his GI Bill victory, said that he is
now making energy a major priority. «We need to look at all our
assets,» he said, suggesting a large package including expanded
offshore drilling, alternative energy, nuclear power and technology to
make coal cleaner.
Was there ever really a chance to stop offshore drilling?
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