Republicans Set to Spell Out Plan for Drilling in Refuge

[kskiska]

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21 — Republican authors of the emerging energy bill will formally propose opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling as they begin to reveal the more contentious elements of the legislation this week, Congressional officials say.

A draft of the measure, to be made public as early as Monday, will incorporate a House-passed plan to let oil and gas companies begin exploration while confining production plants to 2,000 acres on the coastal plain of the 19 million-acre refuge, officials said.

The proposal is part of a new set of agreements between Senator Pete V. Domenici of New Mexico and Representative Billy Tauzin of Louisiana, the two Republicans who are leading the energy negotiations. It is being released for review by others involved in the energy talks and for eventual consideration by the conference committee.

The two lawmakers have made clear they support drilling in the refuge, but their decision to try to add it to the legislation at this stage of the negotiations is certain to reignite strong resistance to the drilling plan from Senate opponents and conservation groups.

more…
http://nytimes.com/2003/09/22/politics/22ENER.html

[Skittles]

1. these f***ers just don't give up, do they?

sickening

[Kool Kitty]

3. No, they don't.

I just got done watching Bill Moyers' show, NOW, and I find my reply much in line with yours, Skittles. Fuck these bastards.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

2. Don't be fooled..it's a shell game to get this bill passed

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=375948

That is NOT to say the threat on the Artic shouldn't be taken seriously, only to pay CLOSE attention to what they DO PASS in the spirit of BIPARTISANISM as brought to us by the Breaux's of the world.

The entire energy bill as proposed is tantamount to privatizing the interstate highway system while giving the money and control to their energy pals.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

7. And if one reads the entire article this is the KICKER

Even if Republicans eventually have to drop the drilling plan to pass the final bill, some acknowledge potential benefits in that result: they can then point to the concession on drilling to quiet Democrats unhappy that the bill is being written mainly by Republicans and environmental groups critical of the measure's benefits for the energy industry.


This paragraph should make it clear that the NYT is actually AIDING in this sham. It is clear the Arctic Drilling Issue is being made to look like a concession to the UNCURIOUS but NOTHING in the article addresses the MORE DRACONIAN things this bill does, like hand over the infrastructure for tha nation's power to private interests with NO rate payer protection.

[salin]

14. Great analogy

Earlier versions (haven't read closely enough on the current version to know) have little goodies such as - not only starting back up programs to let private companies drill oil on public land - BUT having tax dollars cover (this is new) the COSTS of transporting that oil, once drilled, to the market place.

[joeybee12]

4. Don't back down!

Why are these idiots still trying to pass this? Trying to rev-up thier "Left Behind" supporters????????

[Sick of Bullshit]

5. Scumsuckers

They have sunk even lower than whale shit.

[bluestateguy]

6. How many times has this been rejected in the Senate?

Is it really that important to them that the ANWR be turned into a playground for the oil companies?

[maggrwaggr]

8. they're like little babies, they keep reaching for the cookie jar

and we have to keep slapping their hand and yelling "NO!"

[stevedeshazer]

9. Did y'all watch 60 Minutes?

Murkowski, Young, Stevens and Murkowski, trying to bring in the revenue (federal largesse) to build a new pipeline for natural gas.

[madmax]

12. Watched it.

Leslie Stahl was good she wouldn't let Murkowski snow her. The shorter route plan made sense and was cheaper but, these guys aren't going to go for that.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

10. PLEASE PAY CLOSER ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE

THIS REALLY ISN'T ABOUT ANWR BUT ABOUT PRIVATIZATION!

(thank you very much) :D

[Booberdawg]

13. kick

see related link in post #2

[toska]

11. 2000 acres is misleading

2000 acres goes a long way when you only count the area where the equipment touches the ground. This was the trick they were using before.

[bigtree]

15. kick