News

Obama Says Would Consider Limited Offshore Drilling

Friday 01 August 2008

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by: John Whitesides, Reuters

photo
Barack Obama backs limited offshore drilling if tied to a comprehensive energy program. (Photo: Vlad Dan Georgescu / Center for American Progress)

    Orlando, Florida - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama said on Friday he would back limited offshore drilling as part of a broader energy package that attempted to bring down gas prices and reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

    Obama dropped his blanket opposition to any expansion of offshore drilling and signaled support for a bipartisan compromise in Congress aimed at breaking a deadlock on energy that includes limited drilling.

    "My interest is in making sure we've got the kind of comprehensive energy policy that can bring down gas prices," Obama said in an interview with The Palm Beach Post during a tour of Florida.

    "If, in order to get that passed, we have to compromise in terms of a careful, well thought-out drilling strategy that was carefully circumscribed to avoid significant environmental damage -- I don't want to be so rigid that we can't get something done," Obama told the newspaper.

    In a statement, Obama said he remained skeptical of the value of expanded offshore drilling in fighting rising gas prices. He has said he prefers oil companies to use the land already available.

    Obama and White House rival Republican John McCain have battled sharply over the issue of offshore drilling, with McCain backing efforts to open new areas to drilling and Obama opposed.

    Public opinion polls show a majority of the public supports expanded drilling to try to battle rising gas prices.

    Obama endorsed the efforts of a bipartisan group of 10 U.S. senators who unveiled legislation on Friday to increase domestic oil production and expand conservation and efforts to develop alternative energy.

    The bill would require the government to open additional areas in the Gulf of Mexico for development and would allow drilling off the coasts of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia if those states give permission.

    A commission would be created to recommend areas to be opened for leasing in the future. Offshore production would still only be allowed 50 miles from the shore, and all the new oil produced would have to be used domestically.

    "I welcome today's bipartisan effort as an important step in the process of reducing our dangerous dependence on foreign oil," Obama said in a statement.

    "I remain skeptical that new offshore drilling will bring down gas prices in the short-term or significantly reduce our oil dependence in the long-term, though I do welcome the establishment of a process that will allow us to make future drilling decisions based on science and fact," he said.

    --------

    Editing by Chris Wilson.

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Comments

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The only way drilling

Mon, 08/11/2008 - 22:07 — brian (not verified)
The only way drilling offshore will affect prices in the U.S. or actually allow us to take a step toward less dependence on foreign oil is if that oil is nationalized. Otherwise it goes on the open market and will likely be traded to China, who will sell us American flags and fireworks for our 4th of July celebrations in exchange.

I just ran across this

Wed, 08/06/2008 - 17:56 — matt (not verified)
I just ran across this interesting article "Drill Here, Drill Now," that delivered a number of interesting points about offshore drilling. One interesting fact is that 620,500 barrels of oil ooze organically from North America's ocean floors each year, compared to the average 6,555 barrels that oil companies have spilled annually since 1998. It's an interesting article and i suggest you read it.

If this oil is really

Mon, 08/04/2008 - 00:42 — Hawkeye (not verified)
If this oil is really needed to solve our energy crisis. Why not have the oil companies make a commitment to bring all said oil to the US?

After years of trying to get

Sun, 08/03/2008 - 23:25 — Anna Koester (not verified)
After years of trying to get people to say it is indeed possible to build a third or even a fourth party (or maybe it's second and third?) and hearing "Oh no, we can never have that, the scarier of two evils would get elected so we must vote for the lesser of the two evils". I am past wondering if the so-called Democratic Party will ever get back to setting up a platform and standing on that platform and actually being a party with a foundation of support for the people and for the U.S. Constitution. No governmental wrong doing is ever investigated in spite of the obvious election fraud and total corruption that has gone on for years now and is likely to continue and will never be investigated by the politicians who apparently belong to a single party which is simply spelled two different ways: { Many of us remember that, although the Blue Dog Demirats ran Congress while R. Raygun was on vacation for most of the horrible eight years of "his" regime they did the same things they are doing now, ignoring their responsiblities, violating the Constitution, etc. And, as to the topic here the Demirats must certainly know where the oil that Haliburton is stealing in Iraq is going. Surely it is going to the more than 100 countries around the world where we are building military bases. At least we have seen none of this oil here. And the oil in the "Alaska Pipeline" is going to Japan. The oil fields in Oklahoma where I’m from and the oil fields in Colorado where I live are, or have been being worked like crazy for several years now. It really isn’t a current lack of oil that is the cause of “high oil prices” it surely is the devaluation of the dollar. Of course, the real reason for the illegal invasion of Iraq, a country we could have walked into with food and medicine, was to destroy the United States of America and that process is proceeding apace. I haven't mentioned the Republicans here because I wouldn't vote for a Republican if it crawled up and licked my shoe but, once again, I'm going to vote for Cynthia McKinney or Ralph Nader if indeed we even have an election.

Obama the shill. Illegal

Sun, 08/03/2008 - 01:31 — Anonymous (not verified)
Obama the shill. Illegal legislation passed by a vast majority of the Congress has in effect undone the Bill of Rights and the Balance of Powers. This is the undoing of our true security in Rule of Law anchored in the Constitution. Obama says nothing about this. So why not reward the companies who are not helpless to the market forces of limited supply but price fixing gouging out every possible dollar from a public and a nation that simply cannot afford it. "Exxon Mobil made more quarterly profits than any company in U.S. history at $11.7 billion dollars. That's nearly $1500 per second." Obama must show he is on board but it is no "compromise". It aims at softening up the public to more treasonous intrusions on the Rights of Citizens and this dismantling of the Commonwealth and Rule of Law. Every good our nation stands for is at risk and he treats it as ordinary. This is the man who will restore our nation and our Liberty? I fear the fix is in.

And to think I worked my ass

Sun, 08/03/2008 - 00:38 — Ceana (not verified)
And to think I worked my ass off for this guy in the NC primary. Are the American Taxpayers going to get any revenue from these give-aways of OUR NATURAL RESOURCES to the multi-national oil companies who pollute all they want and then get tax breaks and off the hook from their bought and paid for SOTUS and elected representatives. I thought Obama was going to restore this country to WE THE PEOPLE, not the highest bidder.

The media headlined this

Sun, 08/03/2008 - 00:30 — SarahL (not verified)
The media headlined this story emphasizing a change in position rather than what it is, which is an openness to discuss compromise in an open-minded fashion. Of course, it suits the corporate driven media to spin this using the change of position headline for obvious reasons. Frankly, I think it is a good sign when a leader is open to considering solutions to problems that consider the positions on both sides of the aisle. That is leadership. Closed-mindedness is obstinacy. That the Republicans continue to demand off shore drilling and a majority of the public agrees is a sad commentary on the level of awareness of the public and of course the media's reluctance to point the fact that it will not produce oil for 7-10 years under the most optimistic scenarios and when it does, it will amount to a few cents differences at most, while subjecting the coastlines, flora and fauna to incredible risk of envrionmental damage. But, as is typical of the neocons and the sleepwalking simpletons who become suckers for their shell game, they deny any risk, fail to mention the unbelievable give away that means to the poor oil companies, and continue to fleece the country. Who is asking the question about responsibility for leadership when we could have developed a sane energy policy 30 years ago and since? The trouble with Barack Obama is that It's been so long since the people have seen good leadership and intellect and candor, it's hardly recognizable. The bar of expectation has been set so low it is underground. Meanwhile, much of America sleeps on. Most people have nightmares when they are asleep. Sadly, the nightmares will come true if Americans don't wake up!

Tell Obama to stop giving

Sun, 08/03/2008 - 00:10 — Mary Kaye (not verified)
Tell Obama to stop giving ground. I certainly won't vote for McCain but I'm fast losing faith in this candidate. Voting for the Green Party looks better and better.

Isn't it ironic that

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 22:27 — RJT (not verified)
Isn't it ironic that Americans who support the Constitution, rule of law and the environment are considered left-wing extremists, while the right-wing extremists that don't give a dame about the constitution, rule of law and the environment are considered conservatives worthy of compromising with. The same "conservatives", whose activists are working hard to turn our democracy into a Corporatist state. I agree that the public at large is uninformed, but that is what deregulation of the media by Democratic and Republican politicians gets you. Considering that, the American Oil Companies are only using 15 percent of their current oil drilling leases for offshore, Alaska and the lower 48. Why do they need more? Additionally, experts agree that more drilling offshore and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) will not produce any oil for at least 5 years and would lower gas prices less than 5 percent. Where is the effort to close the speculation loopholes, like Enron, in the futures market, where energy is traded? It could lower gas prices 25-50 percent in a month or so. Of course, the right would rather harm the environment and promote more fossil fuel usage with their lame superficial solutions that enrich the oil companies and spare Wall Street speculators.

Here's the facts: According

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 20:19 — Steve Hamm (not verified)
Here's the facts: According to those with enough credentials to know, albeit fools will disagree, the persistent and continued use of fossil fuels will have disastrous escalating ramifications on our environment.

For us to pretend that we can drill our way to energy independence or that such efforts will lower fuel prices today (even in the near future) or that this kind of compromise will in any way benefit humankind, we've got to be smoking some pretty sick weed.

As in all times of serious universal crisis, humans need to radically alter their behavior and accept the sacrifices to get to t new level. There are solutions on the horizon. However, drilling for oil is a pipe dream that will do nothing but continued harm.

So it doesn't matter what any politician says. That are always pandering to the populace for their vote. What matters is this one question: Are "We the People" ready to make the best decision for the planet's (and our) future by doing what needs to be done? Or are we just going to ignore the consequences of our behaviors - that are quite clearly happening before our very eyes - and pretend our actions have no consequences and destroy the very planet that gives us life.

We stand both on a threshold of possibilities and a precipice of peril. Will we sacrifice our pleasures of today for the benefit of those who come tomorrow? Or destroy our Mother Earth who allows us to experience this great gift we call Life?

It is disappointing to see

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 20:08 — Anonymous (not verified)
It is disappointing to see Obama backing off-shore drilling, even on a limited basis; however, even if Obama modifies some of his positions, voting for John Bush McCain still is not an option.

There are a number of ways

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 19:41 — Anonymous (not verified)
There are a number of ways to reduce prices at the pump. This move by Obama would do little except to contribute to the wealth a few unknown persons; it certainly won't bring down gas prices, which are being systematically increased over time by virtue of speculation. In other words, there's plenty of oil, and the oil companies are reaping huge profits off these prices. I guess this kind of naked gouging of the people suggests the level of power the people really have in this so-called constitutional democracy. Given this scenario, I expect McCain to win in November as the level of the power of the people is insufficient to determine who their next president will be.

He’s is sounding more

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 19:25 — Sam Clark (not verified)
He’s is sounding more republican everyday! How about imposing a higher tax on the oil companies for the super profits they are making on our backs. Then use that extra tax to reduce the tax on each gallon of gas and save some money. These oil companies will have us hooked on oil until the earth is destroyed. Solar and wind, period!

All you idealogs on the Left

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 19:10 — JMartin (not verified)
All you idealogs on the Left are as bad as the ones on the right. You would rather defend your position and hate anyone who disagrees rather than solve the problem. There are two realities to deal with here. 1. The deep Gulf will never be drilled because it is economically unattractive. By the time leases are put out and exploration takes place, we will have solar and wind power at much cheaper prices than oil. So throw the Right a bone and do the deal. 2. Americans are too ill-informed (or ignorant or stupid) to understand that making leases available will do nothing for gas prices. As long as the majority see Obama and the Dems standing in the way, he stands to lose in the fall. Nothing done in the next six months is going to be important, who is in the Whitehouse next term will. Last, I wish some of you could focus on solving the problems rather than fighting over who has the better plan. If we don't become energy independent, there won't be any environmental issues to fight over. Survival will have taken over.

When are we Americans going

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 18:27 — Anonymous (not verified)
When are we Americans going to understand that, changing one’s mind with the advent of new data or new information is not a flip-flop. It is a smart survival strategy. When all of the lemmings stream over the cliff and into the sea, the smart lemming changes his/her mind and turns around.

When did we turn our

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 18:24 — Anonymous (not verified)
When did we turn our government into a fight for ascendancy? When our forefathers created our government, based on the Iroquois Confederacy, they intended that we seek consensus, that we seek compromise, and work ourselves toward the middle. With the two parties -- and, yes, most of those that support them -- forcing all issues into win/lose situations, we have split ourselves to the point that the fringes, both left and right, duke it out over every little thing, only to trample the middle ground so necessary to moving forward together in solidarity.

What delusion ? It seems

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 17:28 — Anonymous (not verified)
What delusion ? It seems that Obama is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Why is no mention made about the Hundred's of Leases the oil companies already have tied up..and have had for decades..and Oil is there, yet they have made no effort to drill. Why is that ? Where is the fair reporting ? With the MSM pretending to be 'fair and balanced' and fooling many that make no effort to expose the facts, it is a miracle that so many are not fooled. Obama is as honest a Politician as it is possible to have today. So suck it up and get behind him instead of listening to Fox News; News that we know is only for the status-quo..and McCain. Ask yourself why, when it is obvious he is using tactics right out of Bush's handbook. If you think about it, the answer will come. If you want more of the same, then by all means, vote for McCain, the one that will surely provide it.

Yep, this will make it that

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 16:36 — Ken Roseman (not verified)
Yep, this will make it that much harder for me to vote for Obama in November. I'm tired of all the talk about "bi=partisanship." The Repubs have had it their way for far too long and the very survival of our planetary environment is at stake. On the other hand, the price of gasoline hits many people hard and they are looking for immediate relief, which means they are likely to vote for they candidate they feel is most likely to offer that relief. This country is way too dependant on the fossil fuel/automobile/suburban sprawl model, and we've exported that model to other countries. I am not optimstic about the future.

I went from trusting nearly

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 16:14 — Unbelievable (not verified)
I went from trusting nearly everything this guy said, to realizing that he was a crafty politician who probably had very good intentions, to just thinking he's a creep. I don't believe a word this man says anymore. And yet, he has my vote. God Bless America.

What a horrible omen for me.

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 16:08 — Tomas (not verified)
What a horrible omen for me. I just contributed to this man. I know that he left open loop holes to extricate himself from the possibilities of off shore drilling. WHEN are we going to get someone to just put their foot down and say " the only answer is conservation and innovation " The other day I read an (sickening) article in the NYTimes lamenting the fact that " emerging economies are subsidizing their petroleum products and that effects the higher cost for U.S.A. What selfishness, the U.S.A. has had a free ride on petroleum prices for generations to fuel their gas guzzlers. What does the U.S. want; for these third world people to return to walking rather using Mopeds and back to denuding their forests for cooking wood rather than using Kerosene cooking stoves. So they can continue to have their SUV's ?

What's the delusion? He's

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 16:02 — InsertName (not verified)
What's the delusion? He's being honest and the report is quoting him honestly. I understand that he's willing to bargain to get clean energy ON the table for the first time (a point that will be ignored in future McCain attacks, using the standard "flip-flopper" attack - which is by now a timeless classic). Let's face it. Right now, we have NOTHING. Pretending that we can just suddenly divert all of the hundreds of billions in tax dollars we now throw at the oil industry, directly into clean energy without a severe media backlash is unrealistic and counterproductive. Idealistic political values are only realized through the ugly process of real politics. The problem, as I see it, is that this SHOULDN'T be something we have to bargain with vested interests to get. We deserve the investment in clean energy, whether the oil industry likes it or not. Public ignorance and complacence is the only real barrier here. WHERE THERE'S NO WILL, THERE'S NO WAY, and a few environmentally conscious Thruthout readers don't make a majority. The other problem is that, sooner or later, Democrats are going to have to learn to be perceived as sticking to their guns, even if that means short term political consequences. There's a great danger that repugnicans, through their unwillingness to listen to the American people are seen to have more principal because they know that, in the end, they can always use their media advantage to shape public opinion around to their way of thinking. When Democrats compromise and repugnicans don't, Democrats just look week. Right now, for some reason, most Americans would rather follow leaders who appear strong and confident, even as they lead us all off a cliff like lemmings. Well thought out discourse only works on people patient enough and literate enough to read the details, while being critical enough to form their own conclusions. We had a lot of them in 1776. We don't have many now. So, I hope he knows what he's doing. He still has a chance to win the election (if he can beat the 5% point spread to compensate for the election fraud that we know WILL occur). I'm still young. I'm only in my fifties, but I've still never seen ANYONE win a fight by blocking punches without throwing any. McCain's definitely leaving plenty of openings.

Here's the thing. No other

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 15:42 — KC Watcher (not verified)
Here's the thing. No other presidential candidate has a chance to beat Grampy McSame. So if Obama has to give a little to get the presidency, then that's the way it is. Personally I think compromising with conservatives is like compromising with snakes. Conservatives have made a mess of our country... so giving anything to them means they still get part of what they wanted. I don't trust Conservatives one little bit, since we've seen their ideas benefit the few off the backs of the majority, who end up with less in some way. The conservative "way" needs to be exposed with many indictments and uncovering of secrets, in addition to changes to Media Ownership so that more, not few, own mass media....so that more not few, know more.

Because of the way

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 15:34 — Anonymous (not verified)
Because of the way candidates are forced to say what they'll do if they're elected, we have to understand that things can and usually do change after that person is elected. If candidates all did what they promised if elected, we would have a true representative democracy. But really, ask yourself the question: how often does that happen? Then ask yourself: How much are these promises really worth?

he is quite the politician.

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 15:25 — TS (not verified)
he is quite the politician. he is losing points each and every day at least with me.

Yes, Obama is revealing

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 15:08 — JL Stiles (not verified)
Yes, Obama is revealing himself as just another good actor in the theater we call the two party system. One tugs and the other pulls but its all a game to simulate opposition, as if there are two sides. Expanded off-shore drilling will not make any difference in oil prices other than a few pennies. It's a complete waste while we could be going clean and renewable. Just another easy hand-out to Big Oil. Obama will be no different than Clinton was. He'll be a more charismatic and articulate face for America but his globalist politics will still be steeped in violence and militarism and catering to mega-conglomerates and big banks. He will not be driving the bus. Then when his pretense of liberalism gets demonized by Fox and followers he'll be out and we'll get another blatant dickweed Republican. Where was Barack on impeachment, the military commissions act, the patriot act and the telecom bill he vowed to filibuster? The man's shown us nothing but rhetoric.

Delusion? Not sure what you

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 15:08 — Kit (not verified)
Delusion? Not sure what you intend to say, but the man IS a politician. It seem clear that what he is about is NOT particular positions on issues, but reaching compromise and getting things done, while coming from a liberal philosophical base. None of us are going to be in full support with 'compromise.' But to govern these United States it is clearly required. Showing himself to be open to compromise is not just a canny political move, but essential to being elected to office and governing our country.

"Public opinion polls show a

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 15:03 — Woody (not verified)
"Public opinion polls show a majority of the public supports expanded drilling to try to battle rising gas prices." I see and hear this a lot lately. If they took a poll in those states where offshore drilling is proposed, what would the percentages be compared to a poll of the nation in general? Those who do not live in those oceanside states won't have to deal with any 'accidents'.

This is the first big

Sat, 08/02/2008 - 14:33 — Anonymous (not verified)
This is the first big delusion about this candidate,.

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