May 30 2008
Myrick Introduces Bill to End Ban on Offshore Drilling
In Congress, there is a tiny glimmer of hope on the horizon. Representative Sue Myrick-R, NC, 9th District has introduced legislation called the Deep Ocean Energy Resources Act, or DOER Act, which aims to lift the federal ban on offshore drilling on the states, and put the decision in each individual states’ hands. However, any profits produced will have to be shared with bordering states if the drilling site is within a certain distance of the neighboring state. Another contingency protects the first 50 miles of offshore area from drilling (to appease environmentalists) should the individual states choose to do so. This would ultimately leave the decision to drill for oil, with the allure of producing profits and helping the struggling economy or the side effect of “destroying” the natural environment to the states, as it should be per the Constitution.
That last part about the Constitution is key. Drilling anywhere should be a state decision, not the Federal Government. There is no reason why Alaskans should not be able to drill in ANWR on their own accord, nor any reason for North or South Carolina to not be able to drill off our own shores.
With the price of gas skyrocketing I think the push from Republicans in Congress to start drilling domestically is going to being gaining momentum unlike in the past. With $4 per gallon gas, the angry cries of the American people will begin to overshadow the hold environmental extremists have on many of the D.C. politicians.
[...] Sue Myrick’s Democratic Congressional opponent has come out criticizing Myrick’s offshore drilling bill as being ineffective. Taylor, responding to Thursday’s proposal by the GOP congresswoman, [...]