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September 16, 2008
Susan Collins, Gang Member
Via doubleplusundead, some not-at-all surprising news from the Senate.
The energy debate is close to hitting a tipping point, as both chambers are inching toward a bipartisan breakthrough that might let Democrats steal some of the fire away from the Republican message on oil drilling that dominated the summer break.Hey, a compromise on energy? Republicans and Democrats, working together. What could be better, right? Surely they'll do what's necessary to increase domestic supply and decrease our dependence on foreign oil.On Thursday afternoon, the leaders of a bipartisan Senate energy coalition known as the "Gang of 10" announced that their numbers had grown to 20, with Sens. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) all signing on to a bill that would encourage state-by-state decisions on offshore drilling and authorize billions in conservation and alternative energy.
Yeah, just kidding. Iain Murphy at NRO outlines some of the bill's less-trumpeted measures:
-Permanently ban access to about 97 percent of the undersea oil lying within 50 miles of the California coast.Approximately 80% of Maine residents depend on fuel oil to heat their homes, and the cost of that valuable commodity has dramatically increased in the past two years. Taking action that would prevent domestic production puts the price of heating oil (and the pocketbooks of her constituents) at the mercy of foreign oil producers. What on earth is Collins thinking?
-Continue the ban on energy production in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico.
-Impose a brand-new ban on oil and gas leases in Alaska’s coastal waters out to 50 miles.
-Not allow states that approve new leases beyond 50 miles to share royalties with the federal government, thus stripping any financial incentive for states to stand up to environmental pressure groups, who will continue to agitate against any new oil and gas operations offshore.
I like the idea of wind farms to produce energy, but they aren't going to heat Maine homes. I hope (in vain, most likely) that Collins reconsiders her involvement with this group.
Posted by slublog at September 16, 2008 08:47 PM
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Comments
I seem to be seeing more about the wind farms in all different locations. But how are they doing? And you say they won't heat Maine homes, why?
Posted by: Kath at September 17, 2008 10:43 AM
I think the only way wind farms could heat homes is if they lowered the price of electricity enough to make electric heat worthwhile. Personally, I don't see that happening - our electricity prices are above the national average.
I see a lot more potential in geothermal for alternative home heating.
Posted by: Slublog at September 17, 2008 11:08 AM
Wind farms are a sham.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/2910741/Windfarms-One-of-the-great-deceptions-of-our-time.html
Posted by: doubleplusundead at September 17, 2008 11:24 AM
Susan, like Olympia, isn't really a conservative, but in Maine that's about all we're likely to get. She's still a damn sight better than Tom Allen.
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