new drilling in the U.S

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by firstdown

I think its great but not sure why this is even news but I guess it confirms that Obama will let the plans move forward. On Sept of 2008 Bush lifted the ban on drilling and Va. has been moving foward with the plans to start drilling. Its good to know that Obam is backing this plan. Agency Begins Process to Allow Drilling off Va. Coast - washingtonpost.com

"The administration's decision to move forward comes four months after President Bush lifted an executive ban on offshore drilling. In September, the Democratic-controlled House and Senate decided not to renew a separate, congressional moratorium on offshore drilling that had been in place for more than two decades.

Randall Luthi, director of the Minerals Management Service, said there hasn't been oil or gas exploration off Virginia's coast since 1983. By moving forward now, the agency is fulfilling a request by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) to open up waters 50 miles offshore for exploration, Luthi said.

In 2006, Kaine signed a bill supporting federal efforts to determine how much natural gas exists 50 or more miles off the Atlantic coast."

As for these being an eye sore if they are over 50 miles out you will never see them from shore. I fish a light house 8 miles off shore and only on a very clear day can you see it from shore. Also these oil rigs act as a natural reef and are great for fishing. I believe me and Saden had that debate back when Bush opened up Va for drilling in 2008. Not sure but it also sounds like Obama is opening up more areas for drilling which from what I've read is a good idea.

The difference between what Bush did and what Obama is doing is that Bush's move was just a lift on an executive ban, it wasn't law; it had no legislative or federal authority. In other words, it was largely symbolic.

Today's move by Obama will, at some point, go to Congress for a vote and has specific perimeters on what regions are authorized for drilling.