It's all settled then. Americans overwhelmingly support off-shore oil drilling in U.S. coastal waters and more than half like the idea of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve. So much for coral reefs and caribou.
The above is courtesy of the latest Zogby Poll, which in a telephone survey of 1,113 likely voters nationwide, found 74 percent support off-shore oil drilling and 59 percent favor drilling in ANWR. The poll also notes that these same folks might support John McCain because he thinks we should do the same to increase our energy independence.
McCain also has come up with another alternative energy plan, one in which he wants to award a $300 million (of your money) prize for the development of a battery to step ahead of what's now commercially available for plug-in hybrids or electric cars. Ah, those would be mainly Japanese vehicles, although Chevrolet is working on its Volt vehicle. He calls it his "heroic efforts in engineering" idea.
Great, now we're beholden to the oil cartel, soon we'll be beholden to the battery cartel. Where's the Energizer Bunny when you need him?
Those Republicans certainly are full of energy ideas this election season. U.S. Rep. Mark Kirk, R-Highland Park, unveiled his "moon shot" program, the Apollo Energy Independence Act which proposes long-term market incentives to spur technological breakthroughs for the development of renewable and alternative energies, vehicles and fuels.
The Hound hears this country has been talking about energy independence since the first Arab oil boycott of 1973. Looks like we haven't come that far since. Especially since we're now paying about $4.15 a gallon for gasoline.
Let's start drilling offshore now and make sure you get a geological survey of your back yards. Heck, let's also look into the parks and forest preserves. Who knows where oil lurks anymore?
If the democratic controlled congress had acted back in 1973 we may not be in this situation now. As far as ANWR drilling, I will choose the survival of the US over the caribou. Even though we may not get any oil for 5 to 10 years from either the offshore drilling or ANWR there are immediate benefits. We can tap into the national reserve knowing we can replace it plus it sends a message to OPEC that we intend to become self sufficient for our energy which may just prompt them to lower their prices. I do agree that the ideas coming from the republicans are not earth shattering but at least they responding to the cries of the citizens. Besides saying no to any attempts to increase our own energy efficiency what are the democrats doing? In a word, nothing! They claim that the oil companies have not used all the land that has been leased to them and want to force them to drill within the leased areas. The problem is that they have looked at those areas and have determined that there is not enough oil to make the drilling profitable. Let them look where ever they need to. They can look in my backyard as well. I'll take a chunk of change to let them pump oil if they found it.
THE HOUND SAYS: There's plenty enough blame to pass around to both parties, especially when it comes to producing energy-efficient vehicles, which both the Europeans and Asian manufacturers have no problem making and selling here. Drilling is just one part of the equation.