<POLL: CLV08 went through $91/bbl..so, in the next 60 days, the front month price of CL will... The Oil Drum DrumBeat: September 17, 2008>

40 comments on Offshore Drilling Debate

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PolR on September 16, 2008 - 5:54pm Permalink | Subthread | Comments top

The off-shore drilling provision could best be described as window dressing.

Exactly!

In the security industry there is a concept of security theater. These are security counter-measures that don't actually improve security but are designed to make people feel secure. Their effect is purely psychological. They are sometimes needed to fend off panic that would otherwise occur if security is not visible enough.

I think we are witnessing some drilling theater here. It doesn't actually improve oil production but it makes the hoi polloi feel like someone is doing it.

The real measures are all the R&D and tax breaks dollars for alternative fuel vehicles and other stuff. Of course the oil industry is against it. The bill is bringing the end of oil as the prime transportation fuel.

Considering the limitations of the political process, this bill looks as good as it could get. It addresses many key problems.

- Prevent or lessen angry reactions at high gas prices that may cause riots.
- The ramp up of alternative infrastructures in appropriate scale
- Unlock funds in a dire economic environment

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enemy of state on September 16, 2008 - 9:52pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

Considering the limitations of the political process, this bill looks as good as it could get.

It sounds too good to me. A little bit of real compromise as opposed to window dressing. Despite the fact that I am often accused of being leftwing, I have no problem with oil companies -especially domestically owned ones, making some money. I fear this bill is an alternative energy subsidy too far, and an oil company tax too many. I'd settle for good, rather than make a futile attempt for best.

Another thing, some sort of financial incentives for the states whose shorelines we propose drilling off of would be prudent. IMO the real local cost is psychological, i.e. the percieved risk of environmental degradation is massively higher than the actual risk. But, you gotta put in something for the brave state lawmakers/governors who risk the wrath of a substantial segment of their populations by supporting off-shore drilling.

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PolR on September 16, 2008 - 11:13pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I fear this bill is an alternative energy subsidy too far, and an oil company tax too many. I'd settle for good, rather than make a futile attempt for best.

I don't understand. Don't you feel the urgency?

We need to build non-oil infrastructures fast and if we leave it to market forces, in the current economy this will take forever.

Oil companies, I mean those that own some reserves, will be at the receiving end of a massive wealth transfer once we get on the descending slope. They will sell all the oil they can produce at the highest possible price. What is wrong with tapping into this to fund the alternative infrastructure? The money has to come from somewhere.

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enemy of state on September 17, 2008 - 10:14pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

I don't understand. Don't you feel the urgency?

I do feel the urgency, it is the politics that I don't think is ready. At this point I'd rather get half a program for posr-peak, than risk getting none.

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Dryki on September 18, 2008 - 12:02am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top

IMO the real local cost is psychological

The polar bear, swimming north toward the nearest block of ice [400 miles away], swam on.

OR

What if the real certainty of gross environmental destruction were massively higher than the perceived risk? Multiple orders of magnititude higher.

cfm in Gray, ME

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40 comments on Offshore Drilling Debate

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