Another offshore drilling battle looms

Look for yet another battle over offshore drilling in Congress in coming weeks.

Rep. John Peterson, R-Pa., the leading advocate of offshore drilling in the House, said Tuesday he will make another attempt to get drilling approved, despite solid opposition in the Democratic-controlled Congress.

Peterson said his measure would allow states to drill offshore for oil and natural gas that is 50 miles from shore. He said that distance lies beyond the 11-mile line of sight from the shore.

``It's time for America to start producing," Peterson said at a Republican news conference, which blamed Democrats for inaction on energy policy.

But prospects for passage remain decidely bleak. Democrats have staunchly opposed offshore drilling, saying it risks environmental pollution and would do little to boost the nation's energy supplies.

The Senate killed a similiar measure a few weeks ago.

Comments

[cargosquid]

Offshore lease money could be fed directly into our budget for roads, thereby stopping this merry go round of tax, fight about it, spend, fight about it, tax some more......

Virginia could solve its road financing with a "gas tax".....If Louisiana can do it, why can't we.....