Obama clears way for oil drilling off US coasts

What is going to happen when one of the floating rigs are pushed ashore here during one of the hurricanes which we know will come? Remember the rig that was pushed into Mobile bay??

Dunno, but hope it lands on a "private" beach! Or maybe takes out a volleyball net! :angry:

Dunno, but hope it lands on a "private" beach! Or maybe takes out a volleyball net! :angry:

What's wrong with volley ball nets? I used to love playing volley ball on the beach down by whales tale back when I was in school. We used to play until 4 in the morning after we finished work. We always appreciated the fact that they left them up after the restaraunt closed for the night.

.
Apologies if this has already been posted: (from Hands Across the Sand)
"Dave Rauschkolb interviewed in this CNN article and He will be on NBC Nightly News tonight at 4:30 Central and the late edition. Also he will be live on the Weather Channel tomorrow morning at 7:30 central discussing Oil Drilling in Florida's waters"
http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/03/31/energy.environmentalists/
.




.

What's wrong with volley ball nets? I used to love playing volley ball on the beach down by whales tale back when I was in school. We used to play until 4 in the morning after we finished work. We always appreciated the fact that they left them up after the restaraunt closed for the night.

I believe it was a jab at the Edgewater folks.

I just can't believe this is happening. I'm stunned. What about all the jobs and businesses that this will inevitably destroy when the tar balls hit the beach? And this early morning I'm thinking of all the wetland and essential grasses and reeds in St Marks! Those spawning pools will choke with the 1st oil slick. I'm completely freaked.

That uber-liberal Obama strikes again! I tell you all these far-left policies are destroying capitalism and America! I can't wait to get some real corporate shills back in office!

Wait, what?

That uber-liberal Obama strikes again! I tell you all these far-left policies are destroying capitalism and America! I can't wait to get some real corporate shills back in office!

Wait, what?

I just can't believe this is happening. I'm stunned. What about all the jobs and businesses that this will inevitably destroy when the tar balls hit the beach? And this early morning I'm thinking of all the wetland and essential grasses and reeds in St Marks! Those spawning pools will choke with the 1st oil slick. I'm completely freaked.

Relax. The estuaries and coastal wetlands of Louisiana are not ecological disasters. Nearly 1/3 of the seafood consumed in the United States comes from Louisiana waters. Louisiana is the number one provider of shrimp, oysters and crabs in the USA and a close second in the harvest of fin fish.

Relax. The estuaries and coastal wetlands of Louisiana are not ecological disasters. Nearly 1/3 of the seafood consumed in the United States comes from Louisiana waters. Louisiana is the number one provider of shrimp, oysters and crabs in the USA and a close second in the harvest of fin fish.

Have you seen what those cajuns look like after eating all that toxic seafood their entire life? :shock:

Uh, wait,,,,,aren't you one of......nevermind....disregard....;-)

I just can't believe this is happening. I'm stunned. What about all the jobs and businesses that this will inevitably destroy when the tar balls hit the beach? And this early morning I'm thinking of all the wetland and essential grasses and reeds in St Marks! Those spawning pools will choke with the 1st oil slick. I'm completely freaked.

There are solid, legitimate arguments for supporting this policy as well as for opposing. That will never change. What is not arguable is that this issue is being used as a political volleyball (this has always been the case and always will be). Obama has managed to upset much of his base as well as upset conservatives for doing what they consider way too little-too late. This is unique but I also believe it is well orchestrated. All of this has been done to inject life-support ASAP into Cap & Trade before November elections creap closer. Although based on current reports, the phrase "Cap & Trade" will not be used anymore from the White House to describe the President's comprehensive energy plan ("Cap & Dividend" anyone?). I assume Obama wants to say that he is reaching across the aisle and when none of the Rs support Cap & Trade, he can reach back across to the Ds and say I told you so! The Rs refuse to work with us so let's go it alone w/ Cap & Trade. Or something like that. I also suggest a look at Senate/Congressional races in the coastal states that are, and specifically are not included in this new oil policy.

Some facts that aren't typically discussed include the amount of oil platforms currently established in the Gulf Of Mexico. If you are panicked about what may be coming-take a look at what is already out there! There are currently 4,000 (approximately) various rigs. When Katrina and Rita struck in 2005, there were approximately 3,800 platforms. Rita actually caused more platform/production damage because the eye was further west than Katrina's (the attached picture shows why this is important - picture is from 2006). Rita destroyed 63 platforms and Katrina destroyed 46. Several more were damaged by each. Roughly 3,000 of these pictured platforms were in the path of these two hurricanes. All but one of the damaged platforms was built after 1988 when rig construction standards were tightened. All of the destroyed platforms were nearing end of life. No significant spills were recorded but I am well aware this also depends on your perspective of "significant." In my opinion-oil rigs and the pipelines are not serious environmental hazards. Their construction and destruction potentially cause more actual damage than anything else. Oil transportation (w/out) pipelines is a much more immediate threat (IMO). And love it or hate it-none of us will ever see the day when oil is not in high, high demand.

We discussed the total fallacy that there were no significant spills from Rita or Katrina in another thread.

Yes, one's view of significant can vary, but I really do think 740,000+ gallons spilled and oil slicks 20 miles long qualifies as significant. :roll:

We can all see the day when oil is not in high, high demand, by waking the hell up, cutting our wasteful consumption, and using all of the valid and readily available alternatives.

Im all for energy independence but where do we draw the line? No Pacific drilling but the Gulf is ok, that seems one sided. What about all the oil refineries and port pollution? The reason we love 30A so much is that we dont see all the commercial industry like other coastal areas.

For example, Gidget put solar panels on her new house. Per her conversation w/ CHELCO, that only brings the total to 10 residences who can make the meter run backwards in our part of the SUNSHINE STATE.

I'd like to see that number get a great deal higher before we contemplate destroying our irreplaceable beaches to gain "energy independence" from the mainly North and South American countries who supply the vast majority of our oil!

740,000 Gallons over 20 miles between the two hurricanes is a lot. The attached picture caused some of this. Not pictured is the second hurricane 25 days later which caused even more damage. 10.8 Million Gallons of spilled oil spread over 1,300 square miles is also a lot. A whole lot more "significant." This came from a boat far, far away from any hurricanes. That is why I offer perspective-we all have one. Your perspective is noble. Mine resides in reality. We can work towards both

For example, Gidget put solar panels on her new house. Per her conversation w/ CHELCO, that only brings the total to 10 residences who can make the meter run backwards in our part of the SUNSHINE STATE.

I'd like to see that number get a great deal higher before we contemplate destroying our irreplaceable beaches to gain "energy independence" from the mainly North and South American countries who supply the vast majority of our oil!

The tax incentives are there, and legislation is in place to insure people have the right to do it. Truth is going solar is expensive, 40-50K to run the meter backwards, over the long run it's a value investment, but people tend to think a little too short term.

I think it is realistic to take steps to prevent either type of incident from occurring again.

Especially since it was determined that the tanker you mentioned wrecked because of a combination of fatigue and intoxication on the part of the crew and radar that was non-functioning before they left port.

The tax incentives are there, and legislation is in place to insure people have the right to do it. Truth is going solar is expensive, 40-50K to run the meter backwards, over the long run it's a value investment, but people tend to think a little too short term.

No, due to tax credits etc. it is more like a tenth of that!

No, due to tax credits etc. it is more like a tenth of that!

Scooter I've researched this, it's not a 1/10th. There are different packages that produce differen amounts of energy - from around 9k all the way to a true self sustaining systems that run upwards of 50-60K. The state of Florida has a nice tax rebate for 15K+ systems @ $4.00 per watt, with a max rebate of 20K. To get the max rebate you would have to install a 50K+ system.

At the federal level we have tax credits, but that doesn't help much unless you pay a lot of federal taxes.

Solar Rebates and Incentives for Florida
Grid Tie Solar Kits

Solar is not cheap, but it is a good long term investment if you plan on living in the house for an extended period of time, and have the money to invest.

For those that think a 20 mile oil spill isn't that big of a deal, keep in mind that we have 26 miles of beach. Also keep in mind that you're never going to get the crude (notice that it's crud with an e, i keep waiting for the oil industry to add an accent to make it sound more appealing) out of the sand.

I will concede that drilling could offer jobs, but those jobs will be for people who have experience in the field from out of state. Most of that income will be shifted out of state and very little will be spent here.

Have you seen what those cajuns look like after eating all that toxic seafood their entire life? :shock:

Uh, wait,,,,,aren't you one of......nevermind....disregard....;-)

Yeah, I have and my wife is still beautiful.

Yeah, I have and my wife is still beautiful.

Well, I was going to say Coona**, but figured I would catch heck for that....

Well, I was going to say Coona**, but figured I would catch heck for that....

Naw, my Cajun says its a perfectly acceptable term.

The tax incentives are there, and legislation is in place to insure people have the right to do it. Truth is going solar is expensive, 40-50K to run the meter backwards, over the long run it's a value investment, but people tend to think a little too short term.

One of the reasons for making this oil move now is energy dependence on foreign sources?

We've known it was a pressing problem area since we sat in the odd/even fuel lines in 1973.

Not much thinking about the long-term of energy has happened in the past 37 years.

Wall Street has led the "abandon the long term" with the government (Sarbannes-Oxley) reinforcing business's focus on the current and previous quarters.

Thinking about the long term is now (by practice anyway) unAmerican. Much like living within one's means or minding one's own business is also pass?.

I'm looking for folks to interview for a video piece on the offshore drilling issue. See this thread for more info-

http://www.sowal.com/bb/politics-current-events/46610-looking-folks-interview-video-piece-offshore-drilling-issue.html#post659454

For one, I am so happy all of you guys worked so hard to get Obama elected. I will give the guy one thing, he has the political guts to do things that Republicans could never accomplish.

Since he has gotten into office he has pushed forward what I consider decidedly conservative issues.

I can now take my gun into a National Park. No more worries about being harassed by criminals as I can protect myself.

We are on our way to energy independence. Drill, baby, drill! We finally get to get all of those resources that we own and put them to good use.

Race to the top! Do you really think we would have had SB6 if it were not for Obama offering billions to the States? Remember it was Obama's education secretary that applauded them up north for firing ALL the teachers because the kids were doing so poorly.

He really would not have to make but a few changes and he would be more conservative than Jeb Bush.