Obama's Decision To Explore More Offshore Drilling Receiving Mixed Reviews

By Justine Rellosa
Talk Radio News Service

President Barack Obama's decision to open up areas in the Gulf of Mexico, parts of Alaska, and the Atlantic coastline for possible oil exploration has sparked swarms of reaction from both supporters and opponents of domestic offshore drilling.

In an interview with Talk Radio News Service, Christina Larson with the New America Foundation in Washington, D.C. said it is too soon to completely grasp the President's new policy, but said it reflects the administration's attempt to shift the debate from health reform to energy.

"This is sort of the opening bell of the discussion. It's not the end of the discussion by any means so it's really hard to say what it means, [or] who's going to be happy [and] who's not going to be happy," said Larson. "The one thing we do know is that the discussion in Washington is shifting from health care towards an environment that focuses on energy and climate issues."

Although Mr. Obama is already taking heat from Republicans who argue that his new initiative doesn't go far enough, he is receiving some bipartisan support. Rep. Mike Haridopolos (R-Fla.) told Talk Radio News Service on Thursday that he fully embraces the President's decision, calling it a good start toward making the U.S. completely energy independent.

"I think it is a very encouraging first step, I think that we could still do more," said Haridopolos."This should be part of an all-energy solution meaning not just oil, not just natural gas, but a combination of alternative fuels as well, meaning developing solar and bio-diesel and other things. But, I think this is a great first step it will help each of the states with royalties and it should also make sure that we are not dependent on foreign oil."

On Wednesday, two prominent Republicans, House Republican Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) and Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) both released statements saying they were wary of Mr. Obama's announcement.

"I'm skeptical," said Brady. "Looking closely at the president's proposal, it will delay more than drill by pushing back leases and delegating drilling decisions in the eastern Gulf of Mexico to a Congress more obsessed with global warming than affordable American-made energy."

However, Haridopolos isn't on an island by himself when it comes to supporting the new initiative. Issac Hayes, a youth Minister from Chicago who is running this fall for the House seat currently occupied by Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Ill.), released a statement on Wednesday echoing Haridopolos's sentiments.

"The President’s announcement to allow drilling along America’s coastline is long welcomed news. The off shore drilling ban has been an unwanted and unneeded moratorium on energy exploration...I am cautiously optimistic that this is not a smoke screen for a soon to come cap-and-trade bill jammed down our throats."

Drilling Alone Won't Solve Energy Crisis, Says Interior Secretary

By Chingyu Wang-Talk Radio News Service

President Barack Obama said Wednesday that the recent decision to allow for new oil and gas exploration off America's coasts will help fulfill U.S. energy needs and improve the economy. However, according to Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, offshore drilling alone will not help the U.S. achieve energy independence.

“We expect just in the eastern Gulf alone that approximately a hundred million barrels of oil will come in,” said Salazar during a conference call with reporters on Wednesday. “But ... it’s still a relatively minor amount to the amount of oil and natural gas we import from other sources.”

“We don’t believe that we are ever going to drill our way to energy independence,” he added.

Post-Recess: Senate Takes Their Turn On Energy/Climate Discussion

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

The energy and climate debate is making its way to the Senate, just two legislative days after the House passed the Waxman-Markey energy bill. The Committee on Environment and Public Works heard from White House and other government officials Tuesday. They highlighted the importance of making the U.S. a leader in the clean energy market, reducing the effects of global warming, and creating new jobs in the process.

“Clean energy is to this decade, and the next, what the Space Race was to the 1950s and ‘60s. America is behind,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson. “American businesses need strong incentives and investments now in order for this nation to lead the twenty-first century global economy.”

Other officials present included: Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Department of the Interior Secretary Ken Salazar.

Chu said that he applauds the House for passing the clean energy bill and said he looks forward to working with the Senate to pass “comprehensive energy legislation.” He also noted that denial of the climate change problem will not change the outcome but comprehensive legislation that caps and then reduces carbon emissions will.

Committee Chairwoman Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) said, “I expect you will hear fierce words of doubt and fear and worse from the other side of the aisle regarding our legislative efforts to move forward with clean energy jobs legislation. This is consistent with a pattern of “No we can’t.” I believe this Committee, when the votes are eventually taken on our bill, will reflect our President’s attitude, which is “Yes, we can, and yes, we will.”

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) agreed that the bill will pass through their committee but he does not believe it will pass on the Senate floor. He said the Senators will have more time to review the many points of the legislation than House members did prior to their June 25 vote.

Gov. Haley Barbour (R-Miss.) also testified Tuesday and stressed the importance of informing the public about the facts of energy policy.

“The gigantic effect of energy policy on American life means Congress should work particularly hard to ensure Americans know the facts about the policies Congress is considering. To the contrary, the House of Representatives added more than 300 pages of its 1200 page energy bill a few hours before it was brought to the floor and passed. That is just the opposite,” said the Governor.

Clinton: "I don't pretend to have any psychological insights"

Senator and Senate Foreign Relations Commmittee Member Bob Corker (R-Tenn.)asks Secretary of State Hillary Clinton a question about the energy issue in Europe. He expresses concern that the U.S. seems more concerned with Europe's energy security than they do. Clinton explains what she knows about the issue. (1:54)

"PUMPed" about Energy Independence

By Courtney Ann Jackson-Talk Radio News Service

Energy independence is a must according to United States Representative Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) at his news conference Friday. Stupak introduced revised legislation of the Prevent Unfair Manipulation of Prices (PUMP) Act that will address excessive energy market speculation and regulation of any future carbon derivatives markets.

“We need the 2009 PUMP Act for two reasons. Number one, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in the price of oil and natural gas since the beginning of the year. Secondly, the carbon derivative trading market that’s being proposed...is creating a whole new market,” said Stupak.

The update and revised PUMP Act addresses more current carbon issues and gives the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) the authority to regulate carbon derivates as an energy commodity. It will also aid in closing the swaps, involving energy transactions loophole, which will eliminate energy transactions to be excluded from the requirements of the Commodity Exchange Act.

Next week, the House Energy and Commerce Committee will consider the American Clean Energy and Security Act. The Act will create “an entirely new carbon derivatives market which speculators can manipulate,” according to Congressman Stupak’s office.

Stupak said the carbon derivatives market needs to be “based on a strong regulatory framework.” He also noted that despite the fact that energy costs are down significantly from this time last year, America can not become complacent.”

“I am tired of waiting. We should get it done. I don’t want to create a market and then try to fix the market once it’s functioning. Let’s fix it. Let’s get it frame worked before the market begins,” he said.