No offshore drilling

Great question, SJ. Has the government had some master plan of making ALL of us dependant on them?

I haven't heard, but the push for Drill Now, has been with the preface that we become energy-independent, so if that means oil from the Gulf and Alaska, some solar power from the desserts out west, and wind power from TX, coal from the hills of the Eastern US, and maybe Natural Gas from the Atlantic coast, I think that the Eastern half US would be heavily reliant on oil from the Gulf, to fill the need for gasoline and plastics.

How is it that people want to install more oil rigs in the Hurricane-Prone Gulf? Don't you guys see the prices of oil increase when the Gulf is threatened with Hurricanes? Building more rigs won't decrease the price of gas, and even if it did, can't you see that it doesn't solve the problem of reliance on oil. It is much like welfare -- it helps some people get back on their feet, but many become hooked on welfare, rather than looking for new source of income. Many people get hooked on low gas prices, rather than allowing the market to do it's thing. If the price of oil rises high enough, people will demand new sources of energy technology and with the higher demand and usage, prices of those sources will decrease by scale.

Two part series - you should read both.

http://hstoday.us/content/view/4905/150/

offshore drilling is a short-term solution which would slow the drive to alternative fuels and technologies. I'm hoping for higher oil prices to force our lethargic, lazy leadership out of the reactive mode. As oil heads south of 100/barrel we will return to our old ways.

Democratic legislators push to keep drilling away from Florida coast:

http://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/drilling_11114___article.html/florida_area.html

"We must increase domestic drilling to help combat high gas prices," Boyd said, "but drilling in a critical military training area - in fact, our nation's only open air-to-air missile testing range - is not the place to do it."

The Gulf of Mexico training area provides an area for live-fire exercises. Tyndall and Eglin Air Force Bases, as well as Naval Support Activity-Panama City, make use of the area that spans most of the Florida gulf coast.

"It's a pretty huge area," said Tom Neubauer, president of the Bay Defense Alliance, an organization championing local military concerns. "It's about a third of the Gulf of Mexico."

We could argue until we are all blue in the face about if we should drill or not, but I think it comes down to stop using so much oil. Look at what you consume oil wise on a daily basis and try to think about what you can do to make a difference in curbing your consumption. This would seem to be clear common sense that the less you use means the less the demand equals lower prices for oil. We have to sacrifice as a nation and stop driving vehicles that gorge on gas. Buy local foods. If you have to travel less than a mile ride a freaking bike.
I was born and raised in Destin and would hate to see oil rigs off of our beautiful coast. I hate the current gas prices just as much as the next person but it's time for this country to take a long look in the mirror and make some sacrifices. Until we can give up our Escalades and Suburbans with leather and plasma tv's then you can bet the oil companies will be dancing on your paycheck. Power to the people! Ask not what your country can do for you.....................

We could argue until we are all blue in the face about if we should drill or not, but I think it comes down to stop using so much oil. Look at what you consume oil wise on a daily basis and try to think about what you can do to make a difference in curbing your consumption. This would seem to be clear common sense that the less you use means the less the demand equals lower prices for oil. We have to sacrifice as a nation and stop driving vehicles that gorge on gas. Buy local foods. If you have to travel less than a mile ride a freaking bike.
I was born and raised in Destin and would hate to see oil rigs off of our beautiful coast. I hate the current gas prices just as much as the next person but it's time for this country to take a long look in the mirror and make some sacrifices. Until we can give up our Escalades and Suburbans with leather and plasma tv's then you can bet the oil companies will be dancing on your paycheck. Power to the people! Ask not what your country can do for you.....................

I agree with all of this - we carpool, ride bikes to the store and don't drive large SUV's. However, I would point out that the logical extension to your sacrifice argument is for Florida residents to stop putting all of the burden to meet the country's energy needs on citizens in neighboring states. If your not willing to accept drilling off of the Florida coast, you pleas for sacrifice ring hallow. BTW, it could be done in such a way that you would never see a rig.

i love hearing from the 500 billion dollar a year deficit party members chant about getting more of the resource responsible for the last 2 wars.

Hey full time. My sacrifice pleas are not just for people of Florida but this nation as a whole so your intuition of my logic is way off. I also never directed that you drive Big suv's or that you do not ride a bike. Do you not think that this country consumes way too much oil? Do you not on a daily basis see autos that are just way too big? My message is simple: Stop consuming so much oil . If this NATION would just stop and evaluate OUR own consumption they might find ways to cut back instead of chanting the gluttonous cry drill baby drill! I strongly oppose drilling off the coast of Florida! Just because we do not see the rigs does not mean that they are not there! ..............but what you can do for your COUNTRY.

Hey full time. My sacrifice pleas are not just for people of Florida but this nation as a whole so your intuition of my logic is way off. I also never directed that you drive Big suv's or that you do not ride a bike. Do you not think that this country consumes way too much oil? Do you not on a daily basis see autos that are just way too big? My message is simple: Stop consuming so much oil . If this NATION would just stop and evaluate OUR own consumption they might find ways to cut back instead of chanting the gluttonous cry drill baby drill! I strongly oppose drilling off the coast of Florida! Just because we do not see the rigs does not mean that they are not there! ..............but what you can do for your COUNTRY.

Let me know when you are willing to swear off the items on this list in the name of sacrifice. Send over a pigeon because you won't have a computer.

http://gasprices-usa.com/petroleum_based_products.htm

A lot of people could live without 60% of the items on that list. I think you are missing the point. It's the little things that matter and that this nation as a whole can do without. It takes a nation! I am not talking about taking extremes either. I don't think one should scarifice everything that is made from petroleum. It starts with fuel consumption and driving smaller cars I think you're digging! If i could catch a pigeon that would be a cool thing to do though!

A lot of people could live without 60% of the items on that list. I think you are missing the point. It's the little things that matter and that this nation as a whole can do without. It takes a nation! I am not talking about taking extremes either. I don't think one should scarifice everything that is made from petroleum. It starts with fuel consumption and driving smaller cars I think you're digging! If i could catch a pigeon that would be a cool thing to do though!

I can live without a bra - in fact, I wish everyone lived without a bra. Look, you and I agree on some issues which is a good start, but I simply don't agree that Florida should somehow be sacred ground off limits in the debate on drilling. I would agree that tremendous efforts should be undertaken to protect the environment and that Florida should receive a hefty sum in return for the drilling. But the rationale of the no way, no how crowd is illogical in my opinion and evidences a lack of understanding of how difficult and time consuming it will be to transition to alternative energy, the national security interests at stake and the current drilling technologies available.

Fulltime,

Did you make the meeting on Weds? I think many people do understand how difficult and time consuming the transition to alternate energy will be. I think these people are ready to attempt the transition if it involves drilling in an area that is already in jeopardy. Why the Gulf? Do you really think it will lower gas prices or make us less dependent? Help me out here because much of what I read smells of lobbyist propaganda.

Fulltime,

Did you make the meeting on Weds? I think many people do understand how difficult and time consuming the transition to alternate energy will be. I think these people are ready to attempt the transition if it involves drilling in an area that is already in jeopardy. Why the Gulf? Do you really think it will lower gas prices or make us less dependent? Help me out here because much of what I read smells of lobbyist propaganda.

I can't do much better than these guys in explaining the economics of the issue (and I picked a paper conservatives love to hate just to be fair). And do I think it will decrease our dependency and make us less susceptible to blackmail and worse from unfriendly countries - absolutely.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/opinion/15hahn.html?em

I can't do much better than these guys in explaining the economics of the issue (and I picked a paper conservatives love to hate just to be fair). And do I think it will decrease our dependency and make us less susceptible to blackmail and worse from unfriendly countries - absolutely.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/opinion/15hahn.html?em

Seems like a bunch of promises and smoke screen by oil and the government. I think the reason environmentalist can not get their arms around drilling is the BS the government feeds us. It all sounds good and may be good in theory but we all know none of it ever happens so why risk an area that is already suffering? This is very simple. We will not see or feel the benefits from drilling in the gulf. Several people will feel the benefits but we surely will not. Nor, will drilling decrease our dependency. I bet you a Prius. Remember? I am sure the "drill baby drill" crowd will get the votes they need so you will have every opportunity to prove me wrong. I pray you are right.

Let me know when you are willing to swear off the items on this list in the name of sacrifice. Send over a pigeon because you won't have a computer.

http://gasprices-usa.com/petroleum_based_products.htm

I can live without a bra - in fact, I wish everyone lived without a bra....

The difference between a computer and gasoline is that I don't know anyone who burns through a computer a day, but I know many who burn through a tank of gas in a day. Also, a computer can help to save a tank of gas by conducting business from your home without needing to start the engine on your automobile.

Amen for the living without a bra idea.

What about all that gulf area currently dedicated for the air force. I don't know all the facts behind how much space they are using or require for future needs, but can we switch the discussion and address that for just a bit?

And I gotta also ask, why is Florida the target when we speak of drilling. Haven't we all seen the maps about how much US coastline contains drillable oilfields? It is nearly every state. Aren't there fields closer to shore (easier to pipeline) and less exposed to storms than the Gulf?

What about all that gulf area currently dedicated for the air force. I don't know all the facts behind how much space they are using or require for future needs, but can we switch the discussion and address that for just a bit?

And I gotta also ask, why is Florida the target when we speak of drilling. Haven't we all seen the maps about how much US coastline contains drillable oilfields? It is nearly every state. Aren't there fields closer to shore (easier to pipeline) and less exposed to storms than the Gulf?

Great questions- I would love to hear some serious, factual answers.

The Eglin range, managed by the 46th Test Wing, is the largest Air Force base in the free world. Located east of Pensacola, its 724 square miles of land range occupies much of the Northwest Florida panhandle. Its 101,000 square miles of air space extends over the eastern third of the Gulf of Mexico, an area extending from the panhandle to the Florida Keys. Seventeen miles of shoreline allow T&E in both a littoral environment and over a land-water interface.

The Eglin AFB overwater range provides 86,500 square miles of overwater airspace that is jointly used for a variety of test and evaluation activities and training exercises. The overwater range contains a number of test areas that are used for long-range, all altitude, air-to-air activities including drone target engagements, electronic combat, and long-range (or anti-ship) air-to-surface and surface-to-surface evaluations.

more

To put it into perspective, the state of Texas is listed as having a land area of 261,797 sq. miles.

The Eglin range, managed by the 46th Test Wing, is the largest Air Force base in the free world. Located east of Pensacola, its 724 square miles of land range occupies much of the Northwest Florida panhandle. Its 101,000 square miles of air space extends over the eastern third of the Gulf of Mexico, an area extending from the panhandle to the Florida Keys. Seventeen miles of shoreline allow T&E in both a littoral environment and over a land-water interface.

The Eglin AFB overwater range provides 86,500 square miles of overwater airspace that is jointly used for a variety of test and evaluation activities and training exercises. The overwater range contains a number of test areas that are used for long-range, all altitude, air-to-air activities including drone target engagements, electronic combat, and long-range (or anti-ship) air-to-surface and surface-to-surface evaluations.

more

To put it into perspective, the state of Texas is listed as having a land area of 261,797 sq. miles.

I can't help but wonder what would be more disruptive to Eglin, a single rig with underwater directional drilling pipes spanning hundreds of squares miles of the Eastern Gulf, or tens of thousands of wind turbines anchored on the surface in the eastern Gulf.

More to the point. Should push come to shove, could anyone get permission to put up a rig within military test waters? Seems a huge risk to miss a drone plane and take out a crew trying to poke a hole or is it being suggested to change the military footprint available?
Take it a step further. There has to be junk falling into the waters as much as the military might be trying to do otherwise with training exercises. What are the risks with this material getting into either drilling rig equipment or the pipelines bringing fluids to shore?

There have been a couple articles in the Daily News lately about drilling in the Eglin Test Range, and if you read between the lines, the folks in blue aren't happy about even exploration, much less fixed rigs.

While on the surface they'll be all polite to the Department of the Interior, the Pentagon is perfectly capable of dragging their feet for years as they set up regulations for exploring and drilling in that area in hopes that it would become cost-prohibitive for the oil companies to do so, and they'll just go away and let everyone bomb in peace.

, and they'll just go away and let everyone bomb in peace.

Love it!

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20080917/article/809170383

It looks like we will be safe here thanks to Eglin but it is still sad how we operate in fear of oil. A 26 year ban!

I got the following letter the other day from the Natural Resource Defense Council in case anyone is interested:

You have a rare chance to play a personal role in saving
America's most beautiful coasts from toxic oil spills by picking
up the phone and calling Representative Jeff Miller at his HOME
office during the Congressional summer recess.

We're asking you to call now, because soon after your
representative returns to Washington -- as early as the week of
September 8 -- the House of Representatives may cast a vote to
repeal the 27-year Congressional ban on coastal drilling. That
would be a disaster.

Representative Miller belongs to a small but critical group of
undecided representatives who will hold the fate of our coasts
in their hands -- and they are under enormous political pressure
to lift this ban.

Tell your representative to reject more drilling off our coasts
-- which will do NOTHING to lower gas prices any time soon --
and to pass clean energy measures that will actually reduce our
dependence on oil.

Please call your representative at his home district office as
quickly as you can:

REPRESENTATIVE JEFF MILLER
HOME OFFICE PHONE NUMBER: (850) 479-1183

Urge your representative to say NO to repealing our country's
ban on coastal drilling. If you can't reach your representative
or a staffer in person, leave a message on the answering
machine.

After you've placed your call, please reply to this email
message so we can track the progress of our campaign.

Time is short. We can't stand by and let Congress sacrifice our
scenic coasts -- especially since it won't do a thing to lower
gas prices.

If Congress caves to this pressure, many of America's most
precious shore lines, like California's Big Sur, Maine's Acadia
National Park, North Carolina's Outer Banks, and Florida's
Everglades and coral reefs could all be exposed to devastating
oil spills.

It's time for all of us who care about our coasts and beaches to
draw a clear line in the sand against coastal drilling. You can
do your part by calling your representative today.

Thank you for making your voice heard at this critical time.

Sincerely,

Frances Beinecke
President
NRDC Action Fund

P.S. If you would like to do even more to help us halt Big Oil's
invasion of America's coasts, click here to donate now:
https://secure.nrdconline.org/08/wildlands_campaign_donate3

Thanks for the post. Do you know much about the NRDC? Are they trustworthy or do they have internal conflicts of interest? Have they been impacted by the Madoff scandal.