You Can Believe Big Oil, Right?

Today's headlines included two gems.

First we had Big Oil to Congress: Expand offshore drilling

Wow, what a shocker. Big oil is in favor of drilling off your beach. When Jeffrey Short of Oceana stated "The potentially irreversible effects of oil pollution on marine ecosystems and their dependent economies do not justify the potential short-term economic gains that might accrue from offshore oil and gas development," the industry responded by saying that "improved drilling technology allows oil companies to search for supplies in an environmentally friendly way." I guess that improved technology must have happened real recently, like since the 9-million gallon oil spill off Australia that finally was capped a couple of weeks ago.

Then there was Oil-paid study says Arctic spills easier to clean

The oil companies (BP, Shell, Chevron, Conoco Phillips, Statoil Hydro of Norway, Eni of Italy and Total of France) paid for a study that concluded that (surprise), even though oil spills are really, really unlikely, if they do happen in icy areas "ice can act as a natural blockade, giving responders more time for cleanup." The article then notes that "The findings conflict with conventional wisdom. Environmentalists cite botched spill cleanup experiments that occurred a decade ago in the Beaufort Sea. At the time, the state of Alaska determined that Prudhoe Bay oil field operator BP could not adequately clean spills in slushy water."

But, not to worry America, Big Oil has your best interests at heart.

Pinellas lawmakers lash out against offshore drilling (FL)
http://blogs.tampabay.com/baybuzz/2009/11/pinellas-lawmakers-lash-out-against-offshore-drilling.html
"I don't know who in their right mind would consider moving this legislation forward," cracked Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Treasure Island. "Obviously, someone who doesn't live in coastal Florida."

Senate candidates vie to show their green credentials (MA)
http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/11/how_green_is_my.html
“All four candidates said they opposed offshore drilling.”

Drilling: wrong way to go (FL)
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20091114/COLUMNIST/911141005/2127?Title=Drilling-wrong-way-to-go

Don't risk our future by drilling off our coasts (FL)
http://www.gainesville.com/article/20091116/OPINION03/911161001/1109/SPORTS?Title=June-Girard-Don-t-risk-our-future-by-drilling-off-our-coasts

Brakes tapped on oil drilling (FL)
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20091114/ARTICLE/911141020/-1/NEWSSITEMAP

US to lease 36 mln offshore acres for oil drilling (Central Gulf of Mexico)
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN1330949520091113
"Lease Sale 213 will involve about 6,800 tracts spread over 35.9 million acres located 3 to 250 miles off the coasts of Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. The blocks are in water depths from 10 feet to more than 11,200 feet.
The proposed sale blocks include about 4.2 million acres in an area know as 181 South, near the Alabama-Florida offshore border. Drilling off Florida in the Gulf is only allowed far from the state's shoreline."

Official: NC offshore oil potential is overstated
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20091116/ARTICLES/911164005/-1/LIVING?Title=Official-NC-offshore-oil-potential-is-overstated

A Hunk, A Hunk of ... Burned Oil Rig

Aftermath of the oil rig fire that broke out at the end of the 10-week-long, 9 million gallon oil spill in the Timor Sea off Northwestern Australia.

Offshore drilling claims by oil and gas industry: lies and half-truths? (FL)
http://www.examiner.com/x-29137-Tallahassee-Environmental-News-Examiner~y2009m11d10-Offshore-drilling-claims-by-oil-and-gas-industry-lies-and-halftruths

Some Locals Line Up Against Drilling (FL)
http://www.jaxobserver.com/2009/11/10/some-locals-line-up-against-drilling/

Governor gains leverage in coast oil drilling fight (CA)
http://www.sanluisobispo.com/news/local/breaking_news/story/916896.html
Also http://www.vcstar.com/news/2009/nov/11/governor-gains-leverage-in-offshore-oil-drilling/

Alaska Natives seek restrictions on drilling
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jS0fA1u9RL7e6uO-KFeK_1-y4B1gD9BTJBOG0

Bill Nelson advises Tampa Chamber of Commerce to fight offshore drilling
http://blogs.creativeloafing.com/dailyloaf/2009/11/09/bill-nelson-advises-tampa-chamber-of-commerce-to-fight-offshore-drilling/

Gulf of Mexico oil, gas facilities shut by Ida
http://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSN0926365120091109
Oil companies evacuate workers as Ida approaches
http://www.seattlepi.com/business/1310ap_us_ida_energy.html
But don’t worry, Florida. New oil rigs off your coast won’t spill oil during a Hurricane.

State panels studying offshore drilling (NC)
http://www.thetimesnews.com/news/text-29505-raleigh-align.html

Offshore oil drilling will not solve U.S. dependence on foreign oil or reduce costs
http://www.carnegieendowment.org/publications/index.cfm?fa=view&id=24084
“Proponents of offshore oil drilling ignore reality—offshore oil reserves are too small to significantly impact world oil prices or U.S. reliance on foreign oil, explains a new paper from the Carnegie Energy and Climate Program. Offshore oil, which necessitates costly and environmentally dangerous drilling, would produce about 514 million barrels annually by 2030—less than 1 percent of global oil production.”

ASBPA Wimps Out on Oil Drilling

The American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) just issued a press release on offshore oil drilling. You would think that an organization that is "dedicated to preserving, protecting and enhancing the beaches, shores and other coastal resources of America" would be at least a little concerned about the "coastal resources of America" being slimed from an oil spill.

But no, all they say is: "ASBPA has taken no position on the general proposition of increasing oil and gas production along the U.S. coast. However, it is critical that any new oil and gas development be carefully reviewed to assure that pipelines and supporting equipment do not impede, diminish or eliminate vital offshore sand resources that are needed for the protection of America's shorelines."

So, all they really care about is being able to dredge offshore sand so they can keep coastal engineers employed to implement expensive, un-sustainable beach fill projects. Hey ASBPA - Do you think the coastal tourism industry that you talk so much about will still be there to enjoy your "nourished" beach after it's coated with oil?