Bush lifts Alaska oil, gas drilling ban

[one...two...tree 2,762]

President Bush lifted the drilling ban Tuesday for Alaska's Bristol Bay, clearing the way for the Interior Department to open the fish-rich waters to oil and natural gas development.

By H.JOSEF HEBERT, AP

Alaska officials as well as local communities had asked for the ban to be lifted, but environmentalists have warned against drilling in the bay, which is also a major fishing area for salmon, crab and cod.

Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne said one or two lease sales in about 5.6 million acres of Bristol Bay will be considered for leasing in the department's upcoming five-year 2007-12 lease plan.

Separately, Bush lifted a drilling moratorium in an area of the central Gulf of Mexico known as Lease Area 181, making that area available to drilling.

The Gulf waters acted upon by the president is a small part of a much larger 8.2 million acres that were approved for oil and gas development by Congress last month in one of its last acts before adjournment.

"There will be significant opportunities for study and public comment before any oil and gas development could take place in these areas," said Kempthorne.

The Bristol Bay waters were set aside for protection by Congress 1990, but the ban was lifted in 2003 at the request of Sen. Ted Stevens (news, bio, voting record), R-Alaska, who argued that the area's oil and natural gas could be developed while still protecting the fisheries.

But a separate presidential drilling ban was not to expire until 2012.

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

maybe we'll finally get gas under $2 a gallon nationwide.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

maybe we'll finally get gas under $2 a gallon nationwide.

The emphasis should be on reducing the demand part of supply and demand, doncha think?

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

I wonder if he's gonna open year round caribou hunting too! I sure hope so. I got this new rifle I've been just dying to try out.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I wonder if he's gonna open year round caribou hunting too! I sure hope so. I got this new rifle I've been just dying to try out.

Sit down and brace yourself against something before firing that new rifle of yours, brother Marc. I don't want you to fall over.

[Mags 112]

Yeah, you wouldn't want to shoot yourself in the foot or anything.

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

I wonder if he's gonna open year round caribou hunting too! I sure hope so. I got this new rifle I've been just dying to try out.

what caliber?

[Scott & Lai 12]

maybe we'll finally get gas under $2 a gallon nationwide.

The emphasis should be on reducing the demand part of supply and demand, doncha think?

So, how do we go about doing that?

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

I would have not expected anything less! Nice low blow, speakin of low blows hows your ___________

Edited January 10, 2007 by CarolsMarc

[one...two...tree 2,762]

maybe we'll finally get gas under $2 a gallon nationwide.

The emphasis should be on reducing the demand part of supply and demand, doncha think?

So, how do we go about doing that?

As far as public policy... set up tax incentives for both drivers and automakers to drive more fuel efficient cars. Raise the MPG minimum standards. Invest in mass transit.

As far as individuals... drive more fuel efficient cars, carpool, and when possible, use mass transit.

Why is that this nation uses more fuel per person than any other nation? And why has individual consumption gone up in the last 10 years?

Edited January 10, 2007 by Steven_and_Jinky

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

I wonder if he's gonna open year round caribou hunting too! I sure hope so. I got this new rifle I've been just dying to try out.

what caliber?

.50 Cal. blackpowder it's could for about 100 yards!

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I would have not expected anything less! Nice low blow, speakin of low blows hows your ___________

Ah, now Marc, you know we love you...even when you're PUI...posting under the influence.

[Mags 112]

I would have not expected anything less! Nice low blow, speakin of low blows hows your ___________

You talking to me? My ####### is nice and toned actually. How's yours?

[Ban Hammer 13,345]

As far as public policy... set up tax incentives for both drivers and automakers to drive more fuel efficient cars. Raise the MPG minimum standards. Invest in mass transit.

As far as individuals... drive more fuel efficient cars, carpool, and when possible, use mass transit.

Why is that this nation uses more fuel per person than any other nation? And why has individual consumption gone up in the last 10 years?

tax incentives - as in a tax on the gas? i think that last spat of $3 a gallon got some people's attention.

granted the mpg standards can be raised, but mass transit i'd think would only be cost effective in cities. around here it would be a waste of money.

i think the only solution to it all is increase taxes on gas to fund alternative fuel research.

I wonder if he's gonna open year round caribou hunting too! I sure hope so. I got this new rifle I've been just dying to try out.

what caliber?

.50 Cal. blackpowder it's could for about 100 yards!

bleh black powder.