"But drilling supporters say Katrina exposed weaknesses in the country’s energy infrastructure and presents an opportunity to relax federal moratoriums on new offshore oil and gas drilling in most areas of the country. The idea has the added allure of raising billions of dollars for the Treasury through lease sales and royalty payments."
Did you really think that just because it's obvious NO is a toxic zone because of petrochemicals, Katrina, and flooding, they were going to stop poisoning the planet and it's inhabitants?
Heck no! They'll just... "diversify the portfolio" of poisoned earth so bubba (you know who you are) can drive down to the corner store in his/her SUV for a pack of smokes, some beer, and tampons.
Need... Petrochemicals.... must... manufacture... SSRIs & tranquilizers!
Leigh
Congressional Quarterly daily newsletter:
Katrina Energy Impact Could Lead to Offshore Drilling Action
A money-raising provision opening more federal offshore territory to oil and gas drilling could end up in the budget reconciliation package this fall as GOP lawmakers negotiate various proposals for increasing the domestic supply of energy following Hurricane Katrina.
The offshore proposal would enrage many coastal lawmakers, and it could cripple chances of passing the reconciliation package, which already faces a stiff fight.
But drilling supporters say Katrina exposed weaknesses in the country’s energy infrastructure and presents an opportunity to relax federal moratoriums on new offshore oil and gas drilling in most areas of the country. The idea has the added allure of raising billions of dollars for the Treasury through lease sales and royalty payments.
“The logic of putting it in budget reconciliation . . . is that there is a revenue impact from it,” said Sen. George Allen, a Virginia Republican who sits on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
Under that premise, the House and Senate already are planning to include a proposal for opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to drilling.
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