Offshore Oil Drilling and the Oil Rig Disaster in the Gulf

[JC]

Its really interesting to watch these lying politicians distance themselves from the "drill baby drill" mentality.  Although I must credit Omama for acting like the cap'n of a sinking ship and going down with this one!  I was talking to a friend with a really brilliant political mind the other day and the only reason he could come up with for Obama's placation is a corporate interest.  It was such a politically stupid move for him to support this policy and now it will bite him in the ass and hang on like a pit bull. 

[buckethead]

Would GWB have gotten the same consideration?

[lindab]

There is a letter from a reader to the TU in this mornings paper (can't find it to post it) that just leaves me shaking my head.  The writer said that we should restrict offshore drilling to less than one mile off shore rather than in deep water because then it would be easier to fix problems when they occurred.

I saw that letter today and it made me think of the article in "The Onion". Even though the subject is not funny, this satirical response was:
Tara Abshire  Performance Engineer
"Why do oil rigs go so far into the ocean to drill, anyway? Wouldn't it be easier just to drill at the gas stations?" [/i]

[buckethead]

I am tempted, but won't derail the thread. It's not a BHO/GWB  thread.

I have been quite opposed to knee jerk reaction regarding this, but a moritorium on all offshore drilling until oil companies can provide proof that they can contain a spill/leak such as this with minimal environmental damage is actually reasonable, fitting and will force their hands.

Alt energy is around the corner. I believe it will come from individuals, moreso than corporations and governments.

We already know what to do. Each of us could live a lovely lifestyle with significantly lower usage of fossil fuels and petrolium products. Simple, but not easy.

At a time when people are trying to keep their homes, energy upgrades and wind/solar supply seem of lesser importance. Catastrophic oil leaks into the gulf, do force us to re-evaluate.

[lindab]

Yes, bh, the ultimate answer.

[NotNow]

Agreed BH.  I would still like to see a massive push (tax credits, direct rebates, sell back requirements for utilities) for solar panel installation in qualified (meaning those that receive enough solar radiation) residential units.  I would like to see nuclear power provide at least 25% of our electrical needs nationally.  I think the onset of electric cars such as the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf are good omens as well.

I am afraid, however, that we are tied to oil for the time being.

[buckethead]

TEHRAN, May 3 (Reuters) - An Iranian state company offered on Monday to help in preventing a vast oil slick that is moving towards the coast of the United States, the Islamic Republic's old foe, from causing an "ecological disaster".

Haidar Bahmani, managing director of the National Iranian Drilling Company, said his firm was ready to provide assistance in fighting the spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Oil Ministry's website SHANA reported.

Since the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and sank last month, claiming 11 lives, hundreds of thousands of gallons of crude have been gushing into the Gulf, threatening wildlife and beaches.

"Our oil industry experts can curb the rig leakage in the Gulf of Mexico and prevent an ecological disaster in that part of the world," Bahmani said, without giving further details.

Iran, the world's fifth-largest crude exporter, is under U.S. and U.N. sanctions for nuclear work the West suspects is aimed at making bombs. Tehran rejects the charge. (Reporting by Hossein Jaseb and Ramin Mostafavi; Writing by Fredrik Dahl; Editing by Samia Nakhoul)

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/DAH336324.htm

Whatcha think?

[JC]

I think we live in a big global community and should take whatever help we can get.  I do question their motives though, are they as willing as they say, or do they know we will decline and want to score political points?

[buckethead]

I would think every extra gallon of crude removed would be a positive thing.

It seems this spill remains out of control with little relief for weeks to come. I have never been a Drill baby driller, nor an opponent of offshore drilling. I still remain neutral, but the lack of effective damage control is quickly moving me into the anti offshore drilling camp.

[tufsu1]

Not that people should take the deal....but is it illegal or unscrupulous to offer people $5,000 to waive their right to sue later?

[CS Foltz]

How about if their livelyhood is terminated for the next who knows how many years? Lots of industries will be effected, not only primary but the secondary ones that exist for support of the various types of fishing,shrimping clamming, crabbing and the like! Just a sop to the masses..............stop and think just what BP made last year! If I remember correctly.......around $5 Billion Dollars!

[fieldafm]

I'm going to Destin this weekend for a little vacation and some fishing... Im really starting to get worried about my fishing getting curtailed.  This sucks!!!!! 

[fieldafm]

[BridgeTroll]

Best map I have seen of this disaster... Thanks...

[Lunican]

Schwarzenegger Ends Backing For Offshore Drilling

May 3, 2010

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger reversed Monday his position on expanding drilling off of California's coast in the wake of the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

"You turn on the television and see this enormous disaster, you say to yourself, 'Why would we want to take on that kind of risk?"' Schwarzenegger said at a news conference.

The announcement ensures that no new drilling will take place off the state's coastline in the foreseeable future.

...

On Monday, Schwarzenegger said his support had been based on numerous studies finding it was safe to drill. But now, "I see on TV, the birds drenched in oil, the fishermen out of work, the massive oil spill, oil slick destroying our precious ecosystem," the governor said.

Full Article:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=126490422&ft=1&f=1003